The Ohio State basketball team was back in action after a lengthy layoff on Friday night. The Buckeyes fell down by 15 points midway through the first half, but then stormed back and outplayed the Scarlet Knights in their building for a key 80-73 win.
We were there to bring you live updates and highlights, and if you missed any of it, we have the game flow below with real-time commentary and insight. We’re also adding some postgame coverage to all the fun for you to get all you need to take away some things about this contest.
Ohio State basketball vs. Rutgers postgame coverage
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Buckeyes get a key win
Winning on the road is never easy, and Ohio State sure made it difficult on themselves, falling down by 15 in the first half, but give the Buckeyes credit for battling back for an 80-73 win. OSU improves its record to 10-3 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten.
Ohio State taking control
The Buckeyes have finished strong and lead 78-69 with just 1:16 left. Looks like Ohio State is going to seal the deal in this one.
We are set up for a good finish
Can the Buckeyes finish this one? They are up 71-67 with 3:32 left in the game. OSU will have the ball when we come back from a timeout.
Royal gets a three-point play
And the Buckeyes are up by the same count, 70-67, with 5:04 left in the game
Back and forth we go
The lead is see-sawing back and forth. Thronton hits a layup after losing the ball through contact and after Rutgers takes the lead on a fast break. OSU grabs the lead back 64-63, but Rutgers will be on the free-throw line when we come back from the break with 7:01 left in the game.
Buckeyes lead at the TV timeout
OSU still has a five-point lead with free throws upcoming for Rutgers when we return because of a Christoph Tilly foul when we get back from the break. The score is 58-53 with 11:41 remaining in the game. Tilly has four fouls.
Ohio State on a run
Bruce Thornton his a reverse layup and OSU now leads 55-47 with 13:53 left in the game.
OSU retakes the lead
A couple of Mobley deep balls gives Ohio State the lead (47-46) with 15:57 left in the second half.
Bruce Thornton cuts the lead to two
Thornton gets to his patented shot in the lane, pump fakes and gets it to drop and the Buckeyes trail just 43-41 with 17:41 left in the game.
Ohio State makes a run to end the half
The Buckeyes score the last seven points of the half and close the gap to 41-37 as the teams head to the locker room at halftime.
Tariq Francis is on fire for Rutgers
He has scored seven straight points, and the well has run dry on the other end for Ohio State because of poor shot selection and tentative play. Rutgers now leads 39 to 24 with 3:47 until halftime. This Buckeye team better learn how to play smart, team basketball soon before this season gets away.
The Buckeyes lack energy and execution
Rutgers is flying up and down the court, and the latest example is a missed shot that is followed up with a dunk because the Buckeyes don’t box out. Someone has to have pride for this team because OSU now trails 32-24. Jake Diebler calls a timeout.
Ohio State again playing sloppy
You have to wonder if this team will ever figure it out. Amare Bynum has a two-on-one and instead of passing the ball decides to take it by himself against a defender. He gets the foul, but it’s just another example of not making the best decision. It’s contagious with this team. Ohio State trails 26-20 with 7:57 remaining in the first half.
Buckeyes trail by three
We are at the under-12-minute timeout, and Ohio State is not guarding well. The Buckeyes trail 21-18 with 10:46 remaining until halftime.
Rutgers has gotten hot from beyond the arc
A mini run has the Scarlet Knights up 19-15 with 12:02 left in the first half.
Ohio State trails by two at the first television timeout
The Buckeyes have fallen in love with the long-range shots and aren’t hitting. They trail 10-8 with 15:38 left in the first half.
Thornton gets the fadeaway in the lane
It’s a pretty quick-paced game, and Ohio State leads 8-6 with 16:51 left in the half. Christoph Tilly has two fouls already and has to leave the floor.
Christoph Tilly starts the scoring with a bucket and a foul
He hits the free throw, and OSU is up 3-0 as things have just started.
Ohio State wins the tip
And here we go.
The starting five for Ohio State
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What channel is Ohio State vs. Rutgers on today?
Ohio State-Rutgers won’t be televised nationally and will only be streamed. Ed Cohen will be on the play-by-play, and former Ohio State star Evan Turner will be the analyst. The pre-game and halftime studio show will be hosted by Ahmed Fareed, who will be joined by analysts like Jordan Cornette and Matt McCall.
Ohio State vs. Rutgers game time today
The Ohio State-Rutgers game starts at 8:00 p.m. ET from Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
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Ohio State vs. Rutgers, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Dec. 23
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This article originally appeared on Buckeyes Wire: Ohio State basketball vs Rutgers instant reaction, highlights, score
Reporting by Phil Harrison, Buckeyes Wire / Buckeyes Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
