Please follow and like us: OSU junior forward Marc Loving (2) looks on during the Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan State in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals on March 11 in Indianapolis.Credit: Evan Szymkowicz | Sports Director INDIANAPOLIS — It turns out the third time wasn’t the charm for the Ohio State men’s basketball team. Michigan State had beaten the Buckeyes two times within the last two weeks, and on Friday in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament, it completed the trifecta. After staying within striking distance for the first 20 minutes, OSU (20-13, 11-7) faded as soon as the second half began, eventually falling to the second-seeded Spartans 81-54. The Scarlet and Gray’s 54 points were a season low. Leading the way for the seventh-seed Buckeyes was freshman point guard JaQuan Lyle with 10 points. Junior forward Marc Loving added nine points and six rebounds. Senior guard Denzel Valentine paced the Spartans (27-5, 13-5) with 19 points, while adding nine boards and eight assists. “He just makes that team go,” said OSU coach Thad Matta of Valentine. “He does so many things … hats off to him.” Like much of the regular season, OSU was plagued by turnovers, as it finished with 14 giveaways, which led to 21 points for Michigan State. The Buckeyes showed flashes at times, but the talent of the Spartans was just too much for them to overcome. “I think that team right there is one of the best I’ve seen,” Matta said…
Continue Reading: Ohio State men’s basketball falls to Michigan State in Big Ten quarterfinals, 81-54
