Fifth-ranked Ohio State earned its third win over a Top 25 opponent, beating No. 6 Kentucky 71-65 on Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Defense has been the Buckeyes' calling card all season. Opposing teams have shot just 34.6 percent against OSU, the second-lowest percentage in Division I. Villanova and North Carolina scored 51 and 49 points, respectively, when matched up with Ohio State earlier in the year.
That suffocating defense claimed another victim as Kentucky shot 41.4 percent from the floor but went 7-of-23 from beyond the arc.
Ohio State was unable to pull away despite its excellent defensive effort.