INDIANAPOLIS – Fifth-seeded Ohio State (21-8) ousted top-seeded Michigan (21-4) in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, 68-67, to punch their ticket to tomorrow’s championship game, where they will face Illinois.
The Buckeyes won their third game in three days at Lucas Oil Stadium thanks to a defensive stop of the game’s final possession. Michigan’s Mike Smith missed a jump shot with time winding down. The rebounded was batted around as time expired, helping Ohio State avenge a regular season loss to the Wolverines in February.
INDIANAPOLIS – Fifth-seeded Ohio State (21-8) ousted top-seeded Michigan (21-4) in the semifinals of the Big Ten Tournament, 68-67, to punch their ticket to tomorrow’s championship game, where they will face Illinois.
The Buckeyes won their third game in three days at Lucas Oil Stadium thanks to a defensive stop of the game’s final possession. Michigan’s Mike Smith missed a jump shot with time winding down. The rebounded was batted around as time expired, helping Ohio State avenge a regular season loss to the Wolverines in February.
For the Scarlet and Gray, Duane Washington Jr. and E.J. Liddell were the key cogs on offense. Washington finished the 24 points on 9-of-20 shooting while Liddell added 18 points. Hunter Dickinson led Michigan with 21 points and eight rebounds.
Ohio State entered the lockerroom at the break down 27-26 despite shooting 10-of-33 from the field. The Buckeyes were able to stay close by knocking down 6-of-13 from 3-point range. Five Buckeyes connected from deep in the first half with Justice Sueing hitting a pair. Justin Ahrens, Liddell, Washington Jr. and Seth Towns each made one.
Michigan shot 30 percent as well (8-27) but was 9-of-10 at the foul line.
Washington Jr. reached 1,000 career points with the first bucket of the game. He is the 59th player all-time to reach 1,000 career points at Ohio State.
COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
