Feb. 8, 2017
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Box Score
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Rutgers (13-12, 2-10) overcame a 12-point second half deficit to tie the game with 79 seconds remaining, but was unable to complete the upset in a 70-64 loss at Ohio State (15-10, 5-7) Wednesday evening at Value City Arena. Corey Sanders led the Scarlet Knights with 17 points and Deshawn Freeman had his 10th double-double of the season, posting 10 points and 10 rebounds.
"We're learning how to win," said Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell. "We weren't in games last year and now we're in every game. We just have to finish off the deal in a tough place against a well-coached team."
Mike Williams (11 points) and Issa Thiam (10 points) also scored in double figures, but RU struggled at the charity stripe, making 10-of-18. The Buckeyes, conversely, deposited 19-of-25 free throw attempts, including their final four with less than 30 seconds remaining.
A four-point play by Kam Williams, who scored a game-high 23 points for OSU, with 1:05 to go and the game tied, proved the decisive play.
Rutgers edged OSU on the boards, 38-37, including 15 off the offensive glass, while also limiting their turnovers. As a result, RU benefitted from a 32-28 advantage in the point, out-scored OSU 16-12 in second chance points and established a 10-0 advantage in fast break points.
"I thought we hung around and did well on the boards," Pikiell said. "We just have to make a few more shots. Give Ohio State credit, they made that big three at the end, that four-point play was huge."
It was even in the early going, with Rutgers starting 3-of-3 from the field. With the contest tied at 10, Ohio State used a 17-6 run to take a 27-16 lead, before Thiam snapped that stretch with a three-pointer. Nigel Johnson made a fast break layup in the waning seconds of the half, which concluded an 11-6 run for the visitors. The Scarlet Knights trailed 33-27 at intermission.
The Buckeyes began the half with an 8-2 run to build their lead into double digits. RU got a spark off the bench from Shaquille Doorson, who scored four straight points to cut the deficit to four, 45-41.
The Scarlet Knights then used a 7-1 run to tie the game at 50, keyed by a three-point play by Sanders. The teams went back-and-forth, with a slim Buckeyes lead staying within one-possession, as CJ Gettys hit a layup to make the score 62-59 OSU with just under four minutes to go.
The Scarlet Knights came up with a steal of an OSU inbounds pass, and Thiam finished at the rim to tie the game at 62 with 1:19 to play. Eight of the final 10 points, however, belonged to the Buckeyes.
The Scarlet Knights return to the hardwood Saturday at the RAC versus Minnesota. The contest will tip-off at 12 noon on ESPNU.
Postgame Notes
Sanders had 17 points, reaching double-figures for the 17th time this season and 39th time in his career.
Williams reached double-figures in points for the 13th time this season (38th time career).
Freeman had his 10th double-double of the season. It was his 14th time this season in double-figure scoring. Freeman led the team in rebounding for the 18th time this season.
Doorson had a season-high six points - his most points ever scored in a Big Ten game.
Thiam had 10 points, his most in a conference game and his second time in double-figures. He also tied his career-high with three steals.
Ohio State now leads the all-time series 4-1.
