INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana (WCMH) — Follow along here for live updates of Ohio State’s Big Ten Championship game versus No. 3 Illinois.
The Buckeyes beat Minnesota, No. 20 Purdue and No. 4 Michigan to reach the conference title game.
The Buckeyes saw a 12-point lead disappear in the final four minutes against Michigan, but the Wolverines were unable to score as the clock expired allowing OSU to advance to Sunday’s title game.
Ohio State has struggled late in all three of its tournament games, but have found a way to win all three to gain momentum entering the NCAA Tournament. The Buckeyes’ win over Michigan should give OSU a No. 2 seed in the Big Dance, which would be their best seeding since 2012. Ohio State made it all the way to the Final 4 during that 2012 NCAA Tournament. If they beat Illinois, the Buckeyes have a strong case for being a No. 1 seed, something they haven’t done since 2011.
Liddell’s 3 is off and the Buckeyes are going to fall in OT. Illinois up 5 with 5 seconds left.
Towns hits a 3 to pull OSU within 3. Ayo headed to the line with 2 shots and 14 seconds left.
Not looking good for Ohio State…
Ohio State trails by 3 with 39 seconds left. Buckeyes commit two unforced turnovers in the last 60 seconds and are forced to foul Illinois. Illini can put this game away at the foul line.
We’re headed to OT after Justice Sueing tied it 77-77 on a three-point play. Kofi Cockburn had his shot blocked by Liddell in the final seconds
Duane Washington has 30 points with that 3 pointer and OSU pulls within 3.
Ohio State trails 72-67 after five straight points by the Illini. 3:21 left in the game.
Ohio State takes its first lead of the game.
Kofi Cockburn picks up his 4th foul. Buckeyes trail by 3.
Ohio State makes it a two-point game with 7:59 left.
Duane Washington has 22 points and OSU closes the gap 59-55.
Buckeyes trail by 9 halfway through the 2nd half.
Illinois is on a 10-1 run despite Kofi Cockburn being on the bench with 3 fouls.
Illinois’ big man Kofi Cockburn has 3 personal fouls. He has 11 points and has played good defense against OSU’s leading scorer E.J. Liddell.
E.J. Liddell is Ohio State’s leading scorer this season and he just got his first basket of the game.
HALF: Illinois 40 Ohio State 35. Buckeyes storm back to put themselves in this Big Ten title game.
This is March.
Ohio State hits its first three of the game followed by a Duane Washington layup. Buckeyes cut Illinois’ lead to 5 with one minute left until halftime.
Buckeyes cut the lead to 9.
OSU down 14 at the under 4 minute timeout in the first half.
The Buckeyes continue to struggle with shooting. The nation’s fourth-most efficient offense looks fatigued playing its fourth game in four days.
Ohio State has one field goal through 10 minutes. The Buckeyes trail 25-10.
Buckeyes trail 22-9 at the under 12 minute timeout in the 1st half.
Illinois’ big man Kofi Cockburn has 9 points through 7 minutes.
OSU has not made a field goal six minutes into the game.
Justice Sueing and Musa Jallow will play significant minutes with Kyle Young out. Keep an eye out for Columbus’ own Seth Towns to play more minutes as well.
Ohio State is 10 minutes away from tip off for the Big Ten Championship. The Buckeyes will play without Kyle Young who suffered a concussion in the second half of OSU’s overtime win against Purdue. Young has suffered two concussions in the past three weeks.