Ohio State and Penn State are locked into a basketball contest that is the furthest thing from an offensive clinic. The Buckeyes have gotten the slightly better run of play to lead 27-22, but it has been a difficult game to watch.
Both teams are struggling from the field. OSU is shooting just 9-of-27 (33.3%) and Penn State is even worse, only knocking down 8-of-27 (29.6%) shots in the first twenty minutes.
The bright spot for Ohio State is that it is playing sound, team defense, often forcing the Nittany Lions to take desperate heaves with the shot clock running down. The Buckeyes also lead on the boards (21-18), and at the free-throw line (making seven to Penn State’s four). The team has also more or less taken care of the ball, turning it over just three times.
Halfway there!#Team123 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/yFJnV0uKK3
— Ohio State Hoops (@OhioStateHoops) January 16, 2022
E.J. Liddell leads Ohio State with nine points on 3-of-6 shooting, and also has two blocks and three assists.
You have to believe Penn State will shoot the ball better in the second half. OSU would be well-advised to do the same and try to stretch this lead out a little in the second half, especially with the Nittany Lions making the trip without their leading scorer, Seth Lundy. This game simply can’t get away.
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