Buckeyes Win Holiday Classic – Ohio State Buckeyes
12/23/1998 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
December 23, 1998
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Ohio State (11-2) defeated Mississippi (9-3) 67-62 to capture the Puerto Rico Holiday Classic. The Buckeyes, behind 20 points from Sconnie Penn, held off Mississippi down the stretch. Tournament MVP Michael Redd added 19 points and Jason Singleton, 11. Jason Smith had a team high 15 points for Mississippi with Rahim Lockhart adding 14 and Jason Harrison 10.
The Buckeyes took a 34-31 halftime lead thanks to a steal and three-point goal by Penn in the final seconds. Mississippi kept the game close but a steal and goal by Jason Singleton opened the game with 25 seconds left. Singleton was fouled and with his free throw put the Buckeyes up by four.
Michael Redd was named the MVP of the tournament and along with Penn and Singleton were named to the All-Tournament team. Other members included: Jason Smith and Keith Carter of Mississippi; Jesus Rivera of American; Adam Harrington of North Carolina State; Ryan Jumphrey of Oklahoma; Andre Howard of St. Joseph’s and Eric Holmes of Alabama-Birmingham.
Ohio State now travels to Florida for a Sunday afternoon (4:30 p.m.) game with Miami.
