C.J. Jackson leapt. Chris Holtmann closed his eyes. Ohio State began its comeback.
It wasn’t much more complicated than that.
After falling behind Samford, 32-29, at halftime for its first deficit at the 20-minute mark of the season, the Buckeyes needed a spark. They got one when Jackson hurdled the front row of the crowd to save the ball with a toss over his shoulder, which Luther Muhammad grabbed and threw up the court to begin the fast break. Andre Wesson capitalized on the opportunity, completing what Holtmann called a “momentum play” with a 3-pointer that pulled Ohio State within one point of Samford.