X-Crutiating: Ohio State Survives Xavier

Three years ago Thad Matta broke the hearts of every Xavier basketball fan. On Saturday his Ohio State Buckeyes did it again.

Ohio State survived the Xavier Musketeers in an overtime thriller 78-71. Xavier, up by two, headed to the foul line with less than ten seconds to go. Justin Cage made the first shot, but his second banged off the rim and Ohio State brought the ball up the court. Buckeye Ron Lewis then nailed a three-pointer with less than four seconds to go. The shot sent the game into overtime and crushed all of Xavier's momentum.

Once the game went into overtime it was all Ohio State. After Justin Doellman made a lay-up in the opening seconds for Xavier the Buckeyes responded by scoring the next ten points in the period. Xavier never could mount a comeback. Their first field goal of overtime came with less than a minute and a half to go. The Musketeers looked winded throughout overtime and could never get into an offensive rhythm.

Ohio State played the entire overtime period without their star player, Greg Oden. Oden was good but not great, going five of twelve from the field and scoring 14 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Many believe that Oden will leave Ohio State and head to the NBA as soon as Ohio State's season is over. Oden is now guaranteed at least one more game in college.

Ohio State hero Ron Lewis led all scorers with 27 points, none bigger than the final three in regulation. Guard Mike Conley, Jr. scored 21 for Ohio State. Justin Cage was the leading scorer for Xavier. His 25 points were good but Cage will now be remembered for missing the free throw that could have sent Xavier to the Sweet 16.

Xavier may regret not fouling the Buckeyes after Cage missed the second free throw with time winding down in regulation. A foul would have sent Ohio State to the line trailing by three points. With Oden out of the game Xavier became the bigger team and thus had the advantage in rebounding, making it that much more difficult for Ohio State to make up the three-point deficit.