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Close call: Ohio State hoops pulls away late in win over upset-minded UMass Lowell
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Ohio State managed to hold off a tougher than expected UMass Lowell on Sunday afternoon but there were plenty of question marks that emerged from the 74-64 win.
With the win, the Buckeyes improved to 2-0 but it was a dicey proposition for a while.
With the game tied 56-56 late in the second half, Ohio State eventually pulled away in what was a battle of attrition in many ways. The Buckeyes, with superior depth and talent, finally wore down UMass Lowell.
The River Hawks were 13-19 last season with a 7-9 in-conference record in the America East Conference.
Ohio State’s junior guard Duane Washington Jr. led the Buckeyes with 21 points, adding three rebounds and an assist to key the effort. Freshman forward Zed Key was promising with eight points and four rebounds as well as an assist.
The sputtering win was disappointing from Ohio State, who is No. 23 in the AP Top 25 Preseason Poll. Most worrisome for Ohio State was their 22.2 percent from three-point range (4-of-18 shooting).
Ohio State returns to the court on Wednesday against Morehead State.