Ohio State needed a win in the worst way. JaQuan Lyle did everything and then some to make it happen.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| OHIO STATE | 36 | 36 | 72 |
| MICHIGAN STATE | 33 | 34 | 67 |
The sophomore guard poured in 22 points, dished out six assists and made a career-high five 3-pointers to lead the Buckeyes to a 72-67 victory over Michigan State on Sunday at Value City Arena. The win is Ohio State's first in Big Ten play this season.
Leading 69-65 with a minute left, Lyle committed his first turnover when he threw the ball away in the lane but found himself at the free-throw line after the Spartans gave it right back. He made 1-of-2 tries to extend the lead to five. Miles Bridges scored at the other end but free throws by Kam Williams and Jae'Sean Tate on consecutive possessions iced it.
Five quick points by Lyle helped Ohio State surge ahead after the game was deadlocked at 56 with 8 minutes remaining. A Tate 3-pointer and layup by Trevor Thompson — both assisted by Lyle — capped a 10-0 run by the Buckeyes that put them out front for good.
| OHIO STATE | STAT | MICHIGAN STATE |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | POINTS | 67 |
| 24–52 (46%) | FGM-FGA (PCT.) | 25–50 (50%) |
| 10–23 (43%) | 3PM-3PA (PCT.) | 9–19 (47%) |
| 14–20 (70%) | FTM-FTA (PCT.) | 8–14 (57%) |
| 11 | TURNOVERS | 17 |
| 28 | TOTAL REBOUNDS | 32 |
| 6 | OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 7 |
| 22 | DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 25 |
| 6 | BENCH POINTS | 16 |
| 3 | BLOCKS | 1 |
| 5 | STEALS | 3 |
| 13 | ASSISTS | 17 |
Ohio State led 36-33 at halftime after Josh Langford buried a 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer. The shot ended a more than 4-minute scoring drought for Michigan State. A back and forth affair ensued in the second half to the tune of six lead changes in the final 20 minutes.
Bridges paced Michigan State with 24 points and eight rebounds, though he turned the ball over six times. In all, the Spartans committed 17 turnovers. Bridges was the only Spartan in double figures. Columbus native Nick Ward ended the game with nine points and four rebounds.
Michigan State (12-7, 4-2 Big Ten) opened the game white-hot, making its first six field goals. Half of them were from beyond the arc, which led to an early 15-7 Spartan lead.
A game of runs ended the first half. Ohio State responded by scoring nine straight to take its first lead of the game, only to allow five consecutive points by the Spartans. Three consecutive 3-pointers by Lyle and Marc Loving gave the Buckeyes the lead for good before intermission as part of a 13-0 run.
Ohio State made five of its first eight 3-pointers and outrebounded Michigan State by six in the opening 20 minutes. The Spartans made just six field goals in the final 15 minutes of the first half following their blistering start.
Tate and Loving each scored 12 points, while Williams and Thompson chipped in 10 apiece. As a team, Ohio State shot 10-of-23 from deep.
Ohio State (11-7, 1-4) visits Nebraska on Wednesday. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m.
