After a rough day for Ohio State athletics on Saturday, it was up to the basketball team to try and change the weekend fortunes for the school.
It failed.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| #2 OHIO STATE | 37 | 22 | 59 |
| #22 WEST VIRGINIA | 31 | 36 | 67 |
As part of the Cleveland Classic at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, the Buckeyes and No. 22 West Virginia faced off in a battle that was rough and tough, as expected between these two teams. The Mountaineers, led by a strong second half from Cincinnati native Miles McBride, ended up with the victory.
The loss changed Ohio State's record to 11-2, as the non-conference portion of the schedule is finally over.
Ohio State held a six-point lead at halftime, but turnovers and fouls forced by West Virginia's pressure gave the Buckeyes fits in the second half, and it ultimately just could not make the necessary shots (or even get them off sometimes) in order to earn a victory.
It was the Ohio show for the Mountaineers. McBride led all scorers with 21 points coming off the bench (a career high), and Youngstown's Derek Culver chipped in with seven points and 10 rebounds.
Kaleb Wesson led the Buckeyes with 17 points and nine rebounds, but shot just 3-for-10 from the field and turned the ball over four times. Luther Muhammad and C.J. Walker both had 10 points.
| OHIO STATE | STAT | WEST VIRGINIA |
|---|---|---|
| 59 | POINTS | 67 |
| 15-49 (30.6%) | FGM-FGA (PCT.) | 22-53 (41.5%) |
| 8-24 (33.3%) | 3PM-3PA (PCT.) | 8-20 (40%) |
| 21-29 (72.4%) | FTM-FTA (PCT.) | 15-25 (60%) |
| 22 | TURNOVERS | 16 |
| 42 | TOTAL REBOUNDS | 33 |
| 13 | OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 7 |
| 29 | DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 26 |
| 17 | BENCH POINTS | 45 |
| 1 | BLOCKS | 6 |
| 5 | STEALS | 7 |
| 10 | ASSISTS | 8 |
Ohio State was brutal shooting the ball and with turnovers. The Buckeyes turned the ball over 22 times for the game, and shot just 30 percent from the field.
The non-conference slate wraps up a pretty successful stretch with Ohio State suffering just this loss, and earning wins over Villanova, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Cincinnati.
Next up: Ohio State has a few days off before beginning Big Ten play on Friday, Jan. 3 in Columbus against Wisconsin.
Other notes
- Billed as the first annual "Cleveland Classic," Ohio State and West Virginia battled it out at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse.
- Ohio State turned the ball over 22 times, shooting itself in the foot time and time again as it watched its chances to win evaporate.
- Any shot of a comeback ended when Kaleb Wesson drove to the basket with about 30 seconds left after the Buckeyes forced a steal and let the ball slip out of his hands.
