A group of former Ohio State basketball players are three wins away from a $2-million-dollar purse. The Ohio State alumni squad in the tournament dispatched a competitive squad of Bradley basketball alumni, 81-72, in the Super 16 of the TBT to advance to the quarterfinals.
Ohio State held a 38-30 lead at halftime but the second half defined this Super 16 game. Scarlet & Gray used an 11-0 run of its own, coupled with an 0-9 drought from the field for the Bradley team, to build a 71-54 lead with less than five minutes remaining. However, Always a Brave made its run shortly thereafter. An 8-0 run for Always a Brave, later extended to a 16-4 run, made this a two-score game with less than two minutes remaining. The Ohio State alumni squad were able to put the game away in the final minute.
Scarlet & Gray had two players-of-the-game. Aaron Craft and Jared Sullinger each had 21 points to pace the offense against an Always A Brave squad led by Jerome Randle's game-high 22 points. Sullinger almost could not miss in the first half, even finding a stroke from distance. He finished 7-14 from the field, including 2-4 from behind the arc, and added nine rebounds to his stat sheet.
Jared Sullinger splashes the second of back-to-back threes. Team Scarlet & Gray leads 3236. pic.twitter.com/Ln9SY6VON2
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 22, 2017
Ohio State fans remember Aaron Craft for his defense, but his offense may have been the difference today. Craft did contribute on defense even as Jerome Randle torched Scarlet & Gray in the second half. He added nine rebounds and five assists while finishing 7-8 from the field.
Aaron Craft, monster in the paint, with the putback. pic.twitter.com/vuoH4V9aQn
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 22, 2017
Fans invested in the TBT will wait to hear of Jon Diebler's availability for the next game. Diebler appeared to injure this ankle on a drive to the basket midway through the second half. He did not return after that injury.
Scarlet & Gray might need him in tomorrow's game against the No. 1 seed Golden Eagles. The Marquette alumni team, beat Purple And Black (Kansas State alumni) 84-77 after the Scarlet & Gray win.
Scarlet & Gray plays Golden Eagles tomorrow at 12 p.m. (ESPN) for an appearance in the semi-final on Aug. 1 in Baltimore.
