Buckeyes Upend Spatans, 71-61
(Columbus, Oh-WWJ) Michigan State stayed with second-ranked Ohio State for much of the game before falling to the Buckeyes, 71-61, in Columbus Tuesday night.
The Spartans held OSU's freshmen center Jared Sullinger to 18 points, below his season average, but William Buford poured in 23 points to pace the Buckeyes, now 25-1 after tasting defeat for the first time with a loss at Wisconsin Saturday.
Kalin Lucas led MSU with 14 points but the Spartans dropped to 6-7 in Big Ten play and 14-11 overall, prompting Ohio State fans to begin chanting "NIT! NIT!" as the game came to a close. Michigan State has made 14 consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament but is in danger of being shut out this season.
"I wouldn't count us dead yet," said Spartans coach Tom Izzo. "This is a pretty good team." Izzo was also unhappy with the fact that Ohio State made 23 of 29 free throws, while the Spartans got to the line just six times, making five. "It seemed like they walked to the line every freakin' time," said Izzo.
(Copyright 2011 WWJ Newsradio 950. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press Contributed To This Story)
