Adam Zagoria covers basketball at all levels. He is the author of two books and an award-winning journalist whose articles have appeared in ESPN The Magazine, SLAM, Sheridan Hoops, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times and in newspapers nationwide.
Oral Roberts defeats Ohio State to become the ninth ever No. 15 seed to defeat a No. 2 seed
By JACOB POLACHECK
In the first big upset of March Madness, No. 15 seed Oral Roberts defeated No. 2 seed Ohio State 75-72 in overtime Friday at Mackey Arena in Indianapolis.
Oral Roberts redshirt junior forward Kevin Obanor led all scorers with 30 points on 9-for-21 shooting. Sophomore guard Max Abmas finished with 29 points on 10-for-24 shooting and 5-for-10 from three-point range, playing all 45 minutes for the Golden Eagles.
Ohio State had a chance to extend the game with three seconds remaining in overtime, but junior guard Duane Washington Jr. was unable to hit the game tying three-pointer.
Washington finished with 18 points on 7-for-21 shooting, while sophomore forward E.J. Liddell led Ohio State with 23 points on 10-for-15 shooting.
Ohio State becomes the second Big Ten team to lose in the NCAA Tournament this year after Michigan State fell to UCLA 86-80 in overtime in Thursday’s play-in game.
Oral Roberts will move on to the second round and face No. 7 seed Florid on Sunday.
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