COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Off to a disastrous 0-4 start in the Big Ten that included a demoralizing blowout loss to Wisconsin earlier this week, Ohio State sorely needed a performance that would restore some swagger.
That finally came Sunday. JaQuan Lyle led the way with 22 points and all five starters scored in double figures as the Buckeyes beat Michigan State 72-67 in one of team's most complete games thus far.
"We needed it," a relieved Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. "There was no question about that."
Lyle knocked down 5 of 7 shots from beyond the 3-point line as Ohio State (11-7, 1-4 Big Ten) pulled away and held off the Spartans down the stretch.
Marc Loving and Jae'Sean Tate each scored 12, and Kam Williams and Trevor Thompson each had 10 for the Buckeyes, whose season seemed to be teetering on the verge of collapse after the troubling start and the loss of a key player, Keita Bates-Diop, to a season-ending leg injury.
"It's a good feeling," Lyle said. "We ain't won since Dec. 22, so it's a wonderful feeling. It's a great start and we've just got to keep fighting for the rest of the Big Ten season. We showed we can play through adversity and compete."
Ohio State grabbed a 59-58 lead on a Lyle 3-pointer with 7:15 left and led by as many as seven in the stretch. Michigan State (12-7, 4-2) surged back in final 31/2 minutes but came up short.
A layup by Miles Bridges pulled Michigan State to 70-67 with 20 seconds left. But Williams converted a free throw for a four-point Ohio State lead, and Michigan State's Joshua Langford missed a 3-pointer. Tate grabbed the rebound and was fouled, then converted a free throw with 2 seconds left to seal it.
