Buckeyes Fall in Physical Battle with No. 17 San Diego State

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LAHAINA, Hawaii – Ohio State dropped its opening matchup within the Maui Invitational to No. 17 San Diego State, 88-77, on Monday night in Lahaina.

The Buckeyes discovered themselves trailing on the halftime break for the primary time within the younger season. Brice Sensabaugh stored Ohio State (3-1) within the recreation, pacing the staff with 9 first-half factors. San Diego State (4-0) countered with 10 factors from Matt Bradley, who led all scorers within the half, and the Aztecs went into the break, main 37-26.

Within the second half, graduate switch Sean McNeil put collectively his personal run, scoring 11-straight factors, together with a triple in transition off a monstrous chase-down block from Justice Sueing. McNeil’s factors helped the Buckeyes trim the Aztec lead again to single digits (49-40) with 14:38 to play within the recreation.

Ohio State would pull even nearer with one other five-point swing. Sensabaugh’s second-three of the sport was mixed with an off-ball foul which gave possession again to the Buckeyes. On the following possession, McNeil knocked down one other bucket, pulling the staff inside 4 (51-47) with 13:28 left.

San Diego State would have the reply to McNeil’s run, scoring 17 factors in 3:30 as a part of a 17-5 swing, to push their lead again to 16 factors (68-52).

The Buckeyes would proceed to combat all through the ultimate 9 minutes, slicing the San Diego State benefit again to single digits on a number of events. Ohio State would get as shut as seven (80-73) with just below 4 minutes remaining, however would get no nearer, falling 88-77.

McNeil completed the competition with a game-high 22 factors, together with 20 within the second half, alone. Sensabaugh completed with 17 factors whereas fellow freshman Bruce Thornton added 13 factors.

Ohio State will proceed play on the Maui Invitational on Tuesday as they await the loser of the Arizona/Cincinnati matchup. The sport is scheduled for five p.m. jap time and will be discovered on ESPN2.