It wasn’t pretty, but the NCAA Tournament games in Pittsburgh got off an running Friday afternoon, as the South Region’s No. 7 seed, Ohio State, clamped down defensively to top No. 10 Loyola Chicago, 54-41, in front of a packed PPG Paints Arena.
“We knew we were in for a rock fight, and that’s very much what it was,” sad Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann. “Our guys deserve great credit. They really competed on both ends and were able to break away just when we needed to. Players win games and those guys did a great job.”
Ohio State (20-11) overcame a 1-for-15 shooting mark from beyond the arc, as well as 17 turnovers. But the Buckeyes held the Ramblers (25-8) to just 26.8% from the field.
“I’m proud of our group, but obviously today we really struggled offensively, making shots, free throws,” Loyola coach Drew Valentine said of his team, which was 3-of-10 at the line. “I thought we had too many turnovers. I thought defensively we were solid at times, but probably fought a little too much.”
E.J. Liddell scored 16 points, hauled in ten rebounds and blocked three shots for the Buckeyes, which meet No. 2 Villanova Sunday.
“I feel like we played with an edge,” Liddell said. “We played like the underdogs and we’ve got keep playing like that. People have been counting us out, big time. Is we’ll have the same mindset gong into the next game.”
Malaki Branham scored 14 for the Buckeyes and Kyle Young, who was questionable during the week with a concussion, added nine points and seven rebounds.
“Having Kyle back is great,” Liddell said. “I felt like everybody who stepped foot on floor was determined, ready, had a mentality that we can't be beat and won't be beat.”
Braden Norris scored 14 for Loyola Chicago, but was its only player to reach double figures. Lucas Williamson, who entered the game averaging over 14 points per game, scored just four points and was 1-of-10 from the field and 1-of-6 at the foul line.
“I’m disappointed in myself. I don't feel like I played to the standard that I put myself at. Kind of just at a loss for
words. Kind of just stunned right now. Yeah.”
Ohio State broke open a fife-point game at halftime by outscoring the Ramblers 31-23 in the second half.
“We just focused on winning the next possession,” Holtmann said. “And we felt like our defense really — we could hang our hat on our defense right now. And we did that.
“And when we've struggled closing games, and I answered that question last week, it's because our defense has not been sound enough for long enough.”