The Ohio State Buckeyes returned to action against North Carolina in the CBS Sports Classic in Atlanta, Georgia after a week off following the double-overtime win over West Virginia in Cleveland.
The Buckeyes (8-3, 1-1) fell to the Tar Heels (11-1, 0-0) 71-70 after a Henri Veersaar dunk with 7.1 seconds left.
Both teams struggled shooting to open the contest and traded off baskets for the first 10 minutes, with North Carolina leading 17-16 at the under eight media timeout after a Seth Trimble layup.
The two teams then traded runs to close the half, with North Carolina going on a 12-4 run to take a 29-20 lead and Ohio State answering with an 11-2 run to tie the game at 31.
North Carolina led 34-31 at the half with Veersaar leading the way, recording nine points and six rebounds. Devin Royal led the way for the Buckeyes with 12 points and four rebounds.
In the second half, the Tar Heels opened up with a 16-6 run to take a 47-41 lead at the under 16 timeout.
The two teams continued to trade baskets until the Buckeyes went on a 14-5 run to cut the Tar Heel lead to just one point at 67-66 with two minutes remaining in the game.
A John Mobley Jr. four-point play with 47 seconds left gave the Buckeyes a three-point lead at 70-67. Seth Trimble followed that up with a layup, and a Buckeye turnover gave the Tar Heels a chance to take the lead with 15 seconds left.
Veersaar made a dunk with 7.1 seconds left, and Mobley missed a three-pointer as North Carolina escaped with a 71-70 win.
Seth Trimble returns for North Carolina
North Carolina’s starting point guard Seth Trimble returned to the lineup in this game. Trimble has only played two games this season after suffering a weight room injury.
Amare Bynum enters the starting lineup
For the first time this season, freshman Amare Bynum entered the starting lineup in place of Wright State transfer Brandon Noel. This was the first non-injury lineup change the Buckeyes have made this year.
In the Buckeyes last game against West Virginia, Bynum played 38 minutes while Noel played 17 minutes, and Bynum was in the game for the most important parts of the second half and both overtimes.
Bynum is averaging 8.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 22.0 minutes a game and 54.1% shooting from the field. Noel is averaging 8.4 points and 4.7 rebounds per game on 67.9% shooting from the field in 22.3 minutes played per game.
Henry Veesaar starts strong
The Tar Heel center is the second leading scorer and rebounder to Caleb Wilson this season, and made his presence known early, recording nine points and six rebounds on 4-for-6 shooting in the opening half.
Buckeyes slow down Caleb Wilson in the first half
The star freshman for North Carolina was averaging 19 points and 10 rebounds per game entering the contest, but he was limited to just four points on 2-for-5 shooting from the field. More importantly, he missed two one-and-ones at the free throw line to leave a possible four points off the board for the Tar Heels.
Both teams end the half on a run
After the score was 17-16 in favor of North Carolina, the Tar Heels went on a 12-4 run to take a 29-20 lead. However, in the final three minutes, the Buckeyes went on an 11-2 run to tie the game at 31, and ultimately trailed 34-31 at the half.
North Carolina starts the second half hot
The Tar Heels came out of the half and knocked down five of their first six shots, including two three-pointers from Trimble, to take a 47-41 lead into the under 16 media timeout. The Tar Heels scored 13 points in the first four minutes of the second half.
Ohio State answers with a late run
While trailing 62-53, the Buckeyes went on a 14-5 run to pull to within one point late in the game and give themselves a chance to win it.
John Mobley from DEEP
Mobley struggled from the field in this one, but he was able to knock down a three-pointer and convert the and-one opportunity to give the Buckeyes a three-point lead late in the game.
A late turnover for Ohio State
While up one point with 30 seconds left, the Buckeyes turned the ball over to give the Tar Heels a chance to win the game.
Veersaar ends it
Trimble found Veersaar with 7.1 seconds left for a dunk to give the Tar Heels a one point lead. Mobley missed a three-pointer to win it at the buzzer, giving North Carolina the win.
