Ohio State
14-4,8-4Big Ten
Michigan State
8-6,2-6Big Ten
Buckeyes Win Third Straight, Top Michigan State 79-62
1/31/2021 3:54:35 PM | Men's Basketball
Box Score | Highlights | Photos | Play by Play
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The No. 13 Ohio State men’s basketball team (14-4, 8-4) won its third-consecutive game Sunday, defeating Michigan State (8-6, 2-6) 79-62 at the Value City Arena. The Buckeyes, who received a game-high 20 points from E.J. Liddell, have won six of their last seven contests.
Liddell has now scored 20 or more points in three-consecutive games. He got support on offense Sunday from Justice Sueing (17 points) and CJ Walker (10 points). Defensively, the Buckeyes held Michigan State to just 32 percent shooting and 5-of-24 from 3-point range.
In the first half, Ohio State established itself inside early with Liddell, Kyle Young and Zed Key scoring on 7-of-10 attempts from the field.
The Buckeyes then got going from distance with Justin Ahrens hitting a pair to help the Buckeyes to a 42-30 advantage at the break.
Young and Liddell played a combined 19 minutes in the first half with each being whistled for two fouls each.
The Spartans ended the half 1-of-7 shooting with no field goals over the final 4:43. MSU finished the opening half 10-of-25 from the field and 2-10 from distance while connecting on 8-of-10 at the foul line.
Ohio State plays next at No. 7 Iowa Thursday (7 p.m./ESPN).
Postgame Comments
? @ChrisHoltmann on the win over Michigan State Sunday, the sixth in @OhioStateHoops last seven games #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/FMBYQQznAK
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) January 31, 2021
? @cjwalk13 on @ohiostatehoops team chemistry through this stretch of winning 6 of the last 7 games #GoBuckeyes pic.twitter.com/NqtFE6hdjX
— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) January 31, 2021
Notable about the Buckeyes
- Walker entered the game No. 2 nationally in free throw percentage (97.8%) with 45 makes in 46 attempts from the stripe. He made 4 of 4 vs. the Spartans to improve to 98% (49-50). He has made his last 45 from the line over the last 10 games
- Ahrens made 2 3-ponters vs. the Spartans. He has made at least two from distance in the last six games.
- Liddell made 15-consecutive FTs before a first half miss. He finished the day 7-9 at the line vs the Spartans.
- The Buckeyes are 69-4 overall and 37-2 vs. Big Ten foes during the Holtmann era when securing at least a 10-point lead at any point in a game. The Buckeyes built a 42-28 lead in the opening half vs. the Spartans and finished the game winning 79-62
