The first blemish on Ohio State’s record has come just four games into the season.
The Buckeyes faltered in their first road contest of the year in a game that came down to the wire on Thursday, falling 71-65 to Xavier in a hostile environment at the Cintas Center in the first meeting between the two programs since 2007. Ohio State never led in 40 minutes of play in Cincinnati.
Ohio State made it a game late, as five straight points for Meechie Johnson cut the Xavier deficit to 57-54 at the 3:20 mark. A pair of free throws from Jack Nunge put Xavier back ahead seven points with two minutes to play.