Rapid Reaction: Kaleb Wesson has huge night, Ohio State edges out Iowa State

It’s safe to say that Ohio State is a completely different team with Kaleb Wesson in the lineup. In case that wasn’t apparent during the forward’s three-game suspension, it was certainly clear on Friday night.

Wesson added another double-double to his career total on Friday, scoring 21 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in Ohio State’s first-round matchup against Iowa State. His effort provided just enough lift to get the Buckeyes on to the next round of the NCAA Tournament, knocking off the Cyclones 62-59.

Friday’s game was a back-and-forth contest from the opening tipoff. Ohio State came out firing on all cylinders out of the gate, jolting ahead to an 11-2 lead in the first five minutes. Iowa State settled in, though, and eventually closed the gap to 26-24 at the end of the first half.

It was the same story in the second half, as the Buckeyes and Cyclones traded punches through the final 20 minutes. Neither team led by more than four points in the final eight minutes of the contest, with a few lead changes coming down the stretch.

With the lead at 62-59 with 11 seconds left, Kaleb Wesson was intentionally fouled with a chance to ice the game. But the forward missed the free throw, giving Iowa State one final opportunity to send the game to overtime. Nick Weiler-Babb’s three-point attempt was off the mark and Wesson grabbed the rebound to wrap up the win.

It was kind of fitting that Wesson grabbed that game-sealing board.

Two other Buckeyes hit double figures in the win along with Wesson. Keyshawn Woods had 19 points and Musa Jallow added 11 in the victory.

Ohio State didn’t shoot particularly well from the floor, converting on just 39.7 percent of its shot attempts. The Buckeyes did win the rebounding battle 38-31 and knocked in 11-of-14 free throws, which ended up being the difference in the game.

The Buckeyes advance to play Houston on Sunday with a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line.