By Danielle Daniels

Jake Diebler OSU HC 3 23 2024 NIT Postgame OSU 81 VA Tech 73 2nd Round 3 23 2024.mp3

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Jamison Battle scored a game-high 21 points on 17-of-18 from the foul line to lead Ohio State to an 81-73 victory in the second round of the NIT.

The Buckeyes (22-13) advance to the quarterfinals where they will play either Wake Forest or Georgia on Tuesday night at 7:00 p.m.

Battle’s 17 free throws were one shy of the program’s single-season record. He also grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to notch his first double-double of the season and the ninth of his career.

Felix Okpara finished with 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Those two blocks give him a block in 41-consecutive games, which is the longest streak by any Buckeye in the last 30 years. He passes all-time shot block leader Ken Johnson, who had a streak of 40 consecutive games.

Point guards Dale Bonner and Bruce Thornton both scored 12 points and had two steals. Thornton dished out seven assists and committed just one turnover. Roddy Gayle Jr. was the fifth Buckeye in double figures with 11 points.

Behind Battle, the Buckeyes were a season-best 29-of-32 from the charity stripe. They also won the rebounding battle 40-38.

Virginia Tech scored the first seven points of the game, but the Buckeyes found their footing and used a 10-0 run to take a 16-12 lead midway through the opening half and wouldn’t trail the rest of the game. Another 8-0 run, punctuated by a Gayle Jr. dunk gave the Buckeyes their largest lead of the game at 34-21.

Ohio State shot just 31 percent in the second half and Virginia Tech clawed back. The Hokies got back within one possession at 67-64 with just under five minutes to play. Ohio State would make 10-of-12 free throws in the closing minutes to hold the lead and advance to the quarterfinals.

The second half was choppy as there were a total of 32 fouls called in the final 20 minutes. But amazingly, no one fouled out.

COURTESY OHIO STATE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS