UNC Asheville gave Ohio State all it could handle on Thursday night, but JaQuan Lyle wasn't about to let his team drop its final non-conference game game of the season.
With the game tied at 69-all with just over two minutes remaining, the sophomore guard scored eight-consecutive points to help the Buckeyes escape with a 79-77 win over the Bulldogs.
Jae'Sean Tate added 17 points for Ohio State, while Trevor Thompson recorded his second-straight double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Thompson made his second start of the season in place of the injured Micah Potter, who sat with an ankle injury.
MaCio Teague led UNC Asheville with 23 points, meanwhile.
Ohio State will be back in action on New Year's Day at Illinois. The Big Ten opener in Champaign will be broadcast on Big Ten Network at a to-be-determined time.
Check out photos from the game above.
