Free throws can win or lose games
Despite all that went wrong in this game, Ohio State still found itself up late with a shot to seal it from the free-throw line. Nope. Much like all the other things that go into a huge upset, that didn’t go the Buckeyes way either. Not only did OSU only make 9-of-18 free throws today, it also missed key free throws late with the game on the line.
One of those was with E.J. Liddell on the stripe with a 1 and 1 situation and Ohio State up by two late, and the other opportunity came with Duane Washington toeing the line with the Buckeyes down three late in overtime. Nadah for four opportunities when it counts. On the other side, the Golden Eagles made good on 14 of their 18 from the charity stripe. Game over.