The Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers by a narrow margin of 78-69 in a college basketball game on Friday, February 29, 2024. The game was held at the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, and was part of the Big Ten Conference.
Jamison Battle leads the Buckeyes with 32 points
The star of the game was Ohio State’s Jamison Battle, who scored a career-high 32 points, including six three-pointers. He also grabbed three rebounds and dished out two assists. Battle was unstoppable in the second half, scoring 21 points and hitting four triples. He helped the Buckeyes overcome a four-point deficit at halftime and extend their lead to as much as 14 points in the final minutes.
Rienk Mast and Jamarques Lawrence shine for the Cornhuskers
The Cornhuskers were not without their own heroes, as Rienk Mast and Jamarques Lawrence put up impressive performances. Mast, a freshman from the Netherlands, had 14 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, recording his first double-double of the season. Lawrence, a sophomore guard, added 14 points, five rebounds, and four steals, showing his versatility on both ends of the court.
Key statistics and highlights of the game
The game was a close contest throughout, with both teams exchanging leads and runs. The Buckeyes had a slight edge in shooting, rebounding, and free throw percentage, while the Cornhuskers had more assists, steals, and fewer turnovers. Here are some of the key statistics and highlights of the game:
- The Buckeyes shot 43% from the field, 38% from the three-point line, and 86% from the free throw line, while the Cornhuskers shot 39%, 30%, and 88%, respectively.
- The Buckeyes outrebounded the Cornhuskers 41-31, including 13-7 on the offensive glass, leading to 15 second-chance points.
- The Buckeyes had 13 assists and 13 turnovers, while the Cornhuskers had 15 assists and eight turnovers.
- The Buckeyes had three players in double figures: Battle (32), Roddy Gayle Jr. (10), and Malaki Branham (10). The Cornhuskers had four players in double figures: Mast (14), Lawrence (14), Tim David (12), and Cameron Green (11).
- The Buckeyes had a 10-0 run in the second half, capped by a three-pointer by Battle, to take a 65-51 lead with 6:12 left in the game.
- The Cornhuskers responded with a 9-0 run of their own, fueled by a three-pointer and a steal-and-layup by Lawrence, to cut the deficit to 65-60 with 4:18 remaining.
- The Buckeyes sealed the game with a 9-2 spurt, highlighted by another three-pointer by Battle and a dunk by Branham, to make it 74-62 with 1:28 to go.
- The Cornhuskers tried to rally in the final minute, but it was too little, too late, as the Buckeyes held on for the win.
Implications and reactions of the game
The game was a crucial one for both teams, as they were fighting for their positions in the Big Ten standings and their chances of making the NCAA tournament. The Buckeyes improved their record to 17-12 overall and 7-11 in the conference, moving up to the ninth spot in the Big Ten. The Cornhuskers dropped to 20-9 overall and 11-7 in the conference, falling to the fourth spot in the Big Ten.
The Buckeyes were ecstatic about their victory, as they snapped a three-game losing streak and boosted their confidence. Battle said he was happy to help his team win and thanked his teammates and coaches for trusting him. He also praised the Cornhuskers for their toughness and competitiveness.
The Cornhuskers were disappointed with their loss, as they missed an opportunity to clinch a double-bye in the Big Ten tournament and improve their resume for the NCAA tournament. Mast said he was proud of his team’s effort and resilience, but admitted they made some mistakes and missed some shots. He also congratulated the Buckeyes for their performance and wished them luck for the rest of the season.
The game was a thrilling one for the fans and the media, as they witnessed a high-level and high-stakes college basketball game. The game was featured on several sports websites and channels, such as ESPN, CBS Sports, and Sports Illustrated. The game also generated a lot of buzz on social media, as fans and analysts shared their opinions and reactions.
