Men’s Basketball: Buckeyes take care of No. 21 Terrapins 73-62 on senior night

Steven Kishpaugh
Thu, 02 Mar 2023 02:25:15 +0000
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On senior day, Ohio State senior forward Justice Sueing is given a Lay from his father. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State junior guard Tanner Holden stares forward as the national anthem is sung prior to the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State senior guard Justice Sueing (14) is introduced for the final time in Columbus prior to tip in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman center Felix Okpara (34) catches an early ally-oop in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate guard Sean McNeil (4) back peddles following his first three of the night in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Maryland head coach Kevin Willard expresses confusion after receiving a technical foul early in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Bruce Thornton (2) pulls up for a midline jumper in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate guard Issac Likelele (13) celebrates an Ohio State dunk in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Bruce Thornton (2) comes up with a loose ball during the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Bruce Thornton (2) keeps his eyes on the rim as he drives in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

The Buckeye Nuthouse hushes during free throws in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann checks on an injured Ohio State graduate guard Issac Likelele (13) in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Injured Ohio State junior forward Zed Key coaches up freshman center Felix Okpara (34) during the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State senior forward Justice Sueing (14) defends the interior in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State junior guard Tanner Holden celebrates off the bench during a timeout in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State president Kristina Johnson takes in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate guard Issac Likelele (13) pushes down the baseline in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Bruce Thornton (2) drives into Maryland pressure during the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Bruce Thornton (2) splits defenders to break a press in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Bruce Thornton (2) huddles with his team after a shooting foul in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State senior forward Justice Sueing (14) works through late-game scenarios inside the huddle in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Maryland passes it around the perimeter in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State senior guard Justice Sueing (14) checks out for the final time in the Schottenstein Center late in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate guard Sean McNeil (4) hugs head coach Chris Holtmann following his final checkout in Columbus late in the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

Ohio State senior forward Justice Sueing (14) acknowledges the Buckeye Nuthouse following the Ohio State-Maryland game in Columbus on Wednesday. Ohio State won 73-62. Credit: Zachary Rilley | Photo Editor

On senior night at Value City Arena, the stars shined bright as Ohio State won its second-consecutive game for the first time since Jan. 1, defeating No. 21 Maryland 73-62 Wednesday.

The Buckeyes (13-17, 5-14 Big Ten) saw an all-around offensive performance in which six players scored in double-figures. The honored players — graduate guards Sean McNeil and Isaac Likekele, as well as redshirt senior forward Justice Sueing — combined for 37 points.

On the other hand, Maryland (20-10, 11-8 Big Ten) trailed throughout the majority of the contest, and never went on a large enough scoring run to catch up to Ohio State’s offense. Sophomore forward Julian Reese scored 17 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while the Buckeyes held leading scorer graduate guard Jahmir Young to nine points on 4-of-13 shooting.

After trading baskets in the opening two minutes, Ohio State put its foot on the accelerator and played with aggression, leading to a 14-2 run and an early 14-4 lead at the 15:41 mark. Head coach Chris Holtmann got points from six different players in the first half.

Despite the Terrapins shooting at a 54.5 percent clip from the field, they were unable to cut the deficit to less than four after surrendering the early lead. Reese put up eight points and six rebounds, but Ohio State went into the halftime break with a 35-29 edge.

The second half saw Ohio State continue to make use of its second-chance opportunities. The Buckeyes scored 15 points off forced turnovers and 18 points on nine offensive rebounds. The Value City Arena crowd willed the Buckeyes on with an explosive reaction after an alley-oop from freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh to freshman center Felix Okpara to push the score to 60-50 with 6:20 remaining.

The Buckeyes made their free throws down the stretch and came away from their penultimate game of the season with a crucial win for momentum heading into postseason play.

Ohio State outrebounded Maryland 32-24 and shot 48 percent for the game compared to Maryland’s 44 percent. The Buckeyes were also a sparkling 20-for-20 from the free throw line.

Sueing led the Buckeyes with 16 points, and Okpara hauled in his second career double-double with a career-high 12 points and 12 rebounds. Likekele dished out four assists and scored 11 points before fouling out.

Ohio State will travel to East Lansing, Michigan, to face Michigan State in its regular season finale Saturday at noon. ESPN will broadcast.