So close: Buckeyes fall in OT

Associated Press

EAST LANSING, MICH.

Keith Appling made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 29 seconds left and finished with 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds to help No. 5 Michigan State beat No. 3 Ohio State 72-68 in overtime Tuesday night after blowing a 17-point lead in the second half.

The Spartans (14-1, 3-0 Big Ten) led 55-38 and the Buckeyes (15-1, 2-1) forced overtime with a 20-3 run to close regulation.

Ohio State entered the day as one of six unbeaten teams in Division I.

Aaron Craft’s three-point play with 2:02 left in the second half and his layup, after throwing an inbounds pass off Adreian Payne’s backside, with a minute left pulled Ohio State within one. Payne made one of two free throws on the ensuing possession, allowing Amir Williams’ putback dunk with 19 seconds left to tie the game and send it to overtime.

Ohio State scored the first points of the extra period, taking its first lead since it was ahead 19-17, but gave up some pivotal 3-pointers.

Michigan State redshirt freshman Kenny Kaminski made a season-high third 3-pointer to break a tie with 2:40 left in overtime and Payne connected on a shot beyond the arc on the Spartans’ next possession.

Appling made two free throws with 14.4 seconds left to give Michigan State a three-point lead and Ohio State’s Marc Loving missed an off-balance 3-pointer with 3 seconds left. Appling made one of two free throws with one second to go.

The Buckeyes had a season-high 21 turnovers, leading to them not having a double-digit scorer until there was fewer than 4 minutes left in regulation. Sam Thompson finished with 18 points, including six straight late in regulation, and Loving scored 10 points.