Sophomore guard JaQuan Lyle scored 21 points, pulled down eight rebounds and dished out seven assists to lead Ohio State to a 72-67 win over Providence in Thursday night's Gavitt Tipoff Games. Lyle had a combined eight points in the Buckeyes' first two games, but was aggressive from the get-go against the Friars.
A career-high 27 points from forward Rodney Bullock kept Providence close throughout, but the Friars were never able to get any closer than two late. Just a few days after going 11-for-23 at the charity stripe, Ohio State made its free throws down the stretch to seal the game.
Junior forward Jae'Sean Tate finished the game with 14 points and junior center Trevor Thompson added 12 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Junior forward Keita Bates-Diop added eight points before leaving the game in the second half with a leg injury.
The Buckeyes continue their five-game homestand against Western Carolina on Monday, Nov. 21. Tip-off at Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Check out photos from the game above.
