Ohio State beat Michigan on Saturday evening because I saved its starting point guard from certain death. Well, sort of.
Thanks to a balanced scoring attack and terrific free-throw shooting, the Buckeyes scratched and clawed their way back from an 11-point first half deficit beat the Wolverines, 70-66. It was only their second conference road win of the season.
Marc Loving led Ohio State with 17 points, while Jae'Sean Tate and Trevor Thompson added 13 points a piece.
Michigan had a chance down the stretch to take the lead with under a minute remaining, but Derrick Walton Jr. missed a runner in the lane. JaQuan Lyle, who came off the bench after suffering an ankle injury in practice on Friday, hit two free throws at the other end to seal the deal for the Buckeyes.
Walton Jr. led all scorers with 25 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for a double-double. Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman added 12 for the Wolverines.
Ohio State will be back in action on Wednesday against Rutgers. Tip off is scheduled for 7 p.m. on BTN.
Check out photos from the game above.
