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NCAA Tournament Scores: Ohio State Survives in Overtime to Beat Xavier
Down nine with 2:54 remaining in the second half the number one seeded Ohio State Buckeyes fought their way back to force overtime and then beat the number nine seeded Xavier Musketeers 78-71 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament.
Ron Lewis buried a three-pointer with four seconds on the clock to tie the score for the Buckeyes and force overtime. Lewis scored eight points during the last 2:54 of the game to give Ohio State the opportunity to play in extra time.
Greg Oden was forced to watch the overtime action from the bench after fouling out with nine seconds remaining in the second half. Xavier had the chance to seal the game on the foul but Justin Cage could hit just one of his two free-throws resulting in Lewis’ last second triple.
Lewis finished with 28 points and 8 rebounds for Ohio State while Oden added 14 points and 12 boards. The Buckeyes dominated the glass grabbing 45 rebounds compared to the 28 pulled down by the Musketeers. Ohio State was also solid from the line as they hit 85 percent from the line while Xavier hit just 68 percent.
