Ohio State holds off Penn State
INDIANAPOLIS — Marc Loving scored 24 points, JaQuan Lyle added 22 and Ohio State used a late 7-0 run to hold off Penn State 79-75 at the Big Ten tournament Thursday.
The Buckeyes (20-12) have won six of their last eight as they try make a late push into next week’s NCAA Tournament. They’ll face No. 2 Michigan State on Friday.
Shep Garner scored 25 points and Donovon Jack had 18 for the Nittany Lions (16-16), who lost for the third time in seven games.
The Buckeyes looked like they would pull away after taking a 61-54 lead with 8:07 to go.
But Garner capped a 13-5 run by making two free throws with 4:12 remaining to give Penn State a 67-66 lead.
Ohio State retook control after Loving made 3 of 4 free throws to start the closing run and Lyle followed that with back-to-back baskets for a 73-67 lead. The Nittany Lions never had a chance to tie it or take the lead again.