The Ohio State Buckeyes survived a late flurry defeating the Arizona Wildcats 73-70 in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. With the victory, Ohio St. advanced to the Elite Eight of the competition and they could thank LaQuinton Ross for the late-game heroics as they needed another final shot to win this game.
With two seconds left on the clock, Ross sunk the game-winning three just four days removed from Aaron Craft's three that won the game as time expired. Ross finished the game with a total of 17 points scored shooting an efficient 5-8 from the floor and going 2-2 from three.
Ross was one of four players who finished in double-figures scoring. Deshaun Thomas had the team-high 20 points, shooting 7-14 from the floor and 3-6 from three. Craft added five assists, five rebounds and 13 points while Sam Thompson added 11 points and almost had a double-double grabbing eight rebounds.
The Wildcats attempted to make a late run in the closing minutes of the second half. Led by Mark Lyons, who had the game-high 23 points, Arizona went 6-12 from the floor and 9-10 from the free throw line. Solomon Hill added 16 points shooting 7-11 from the field while adding three rebounds and three assists.
With 11:04 remaining in the game, Ohio St.'s Thomas sunk a three that game a 10-point lead. From then on led by Hill, Arizona cut the lead down to just four points. Hill scored nine straight points for Arizona and the scoreboard was 56-52.
With just two minutes remaining, Ross drained a layup that gave Ohio St a six-point, 69-63, lead. Lyons took over scoring four points making it 67-60 with less than a minute remaining. With 21 seconds left, Lyons drove to the hoop and made a layup and was fouled in the process. He then sunk the free throw that tied the game. However, Ross had the last word and drained the game-winning three.
Ohio State now awaits a winner between La Salle and Wichita State as they will attempt to make the Final Four.
