Ohio State ices out No. 1 Duke in final minutes, wins 71-66

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Ohio State’s resiliency was way too a great deal for top-rated Duke to cope with.

Zed Vital scored a career-high 20 factors and Ohio State held No. 1 Duke scoreless for the final 4 1/2 minutes, finishing a rally from a 15-place second-fifty percent deficit to defeat the Blue Devils 71-66 on Tuesday night.

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E.J. Liddell hit two free throws with 1:06 remaining to give the Buckeyes (5-2) their initially guide since early in the initially 50 %, and his jumper made it 69-66 with 16 seconds still left. Duke freshman star Paolo Banchero skipped a tying 3-pointer, and Cedric Russell received the rebound and closed it out at the cost-free-toss line. Ohio Condition admirers stormed the courtroom as time expired.

“I thought our skill to remain with it was actually vital,” Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann reported. “Gamers acquire games, and we had a variety of fellas make performs down the extend.”

The Blue Devils (7-1) claimed the prime place in this week’s AP Best 25 poll — a continue to be that could be short — soon after beating then-No. 1 Gonzaga in Las Vegas. Ohio State enhanced to 2-1 versus ranked foes this 12 months with its fourth straight recreation resolved in the final minutes.

Liddell concluded with 14 factors and 11 rebounds for Ohio Condition, which beat the No. 1 staff in the region for the 2nd straight time on its dwelling court. The Buckeyes knocked off Michigan Point out 80-64 on Jan. 7, 2018.

“We have experienced some genuinely dramatic online games below, and I don’t consider which is ending at any time soon,” Holtmann mentioned. “So if you feel the challenging game titles are around, we have one more seriously, actually challenge Sunday evening (at Penn Condition). Which is the obstacle in entrance of us appropriate now. “

Wendell Moore Jr. led the Blue Devils with 17 factors and Banchero finished with 14.

Duke led by 13 factors at halftime and extended that benefit to 49-34 early in the second 50 %. Moore’s layup with 5:19 remaining made it 65-57, and Trevor Keels made a free of charge throw with 4:29 still left.

The Blue Devils did not rating yet again, missing their very last six pictures as Ohio State closed the video game with a 12- operate. Duke endured a 1-for-14 extend before in the half, permitting the Buckeyes to attract closer.

“When not getting the stops, we weren’t in a position to lengthen the lead a few moments,” Duke mentor Mike Krzyzewski mentioned. “They just stayed suitable in there.”

Ohio State took an early 13-7 guide but Duke responded with a 13-2 run. The Blue Devils shot 52.9% in the first fifty percent.

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Pink Sizzling Complete

Regardless of a number of stretches of two-plus minutes with no a rating in the next 50 %, the Buckeyes shut the match by generating their past 4 free of charge throws and a few shot attempts, whilst Duke didn’t land any field targets in the last 5:18.

“We actually dug in on the defensive aspect of items,” Russell said. “It just felt superior to arrive out on top rated, primarily at property.”

RUSSELL HAS HIS Moment

Getting into the evening, Russell had scored just a few points in his short Buckeyes vocation considering that transferring from Louisiana.

On Tuesday, he a lot more than quadrupled his overall. Russell shot 75% from the ground and a fantastic 3 of 3 from past the arc, such as the 3-pointer that pulled the Buckeyes within two with 2:32 remaining.

“It was a bunch of feelings, but I did not give up on myself,” Russell stated.

TAKEAWAY Issues

Ohio Point out dedicated 12 turnovers though forcing a year-very low 7. The Blue Devils capitalized for 15 details off their further possessions.

Significant Photograph

Duke: Moore and Banchero, Duke’s major scorers coming in, ended up strong, capturing a mixed 11 for 29, but they arrived up empty when it mattered most.

“I assumed we had been worn out at the stop,” Krzyzewski reported.

Ohio Condition: The Buckeyes had 12 turnovers and shot 50% (11 of 22) at the totally free-toss line, parts they will have to clean up ahead of commencing Huge Ten engage in this weekend.

UP Next

Duke: Hosts South Carolina Condition on Dec. 14.

Ohio Point out: At Penn Condition on Sunday.