Ohio State got within one point of Michigan State with just under 14 minutes remaining in Tuesday night's game at the Breslin Center, but the Buckeyes could never get over the hump on the way to a 74-66 loss to the Spartans.
Marc Loving led Ohio State with 22 points, while JaQuan Lyle — back after missing the last game due to a family emergency — pitched in 10. Lyle scored all of his points in the first half..
Alvin Ellis III was on fire in the first half for Michigan State, scoring 18 points off the bench to pace the Spartans. Miles Bridges, meanwhile, scored 11 of his 17 points in the final frame.
With only four regular season games remaining, the Buckeyes — 15-12 overall, 5-9 in the Big Ten — will fail to reach double-digit conference wins since Thad Matta's first year as head coach.
Ohio State will be back in action on Saturday against Nebraska. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m. on BTN.
Check out photos from the game above.
