After being tied up at 43-43 at halftime, the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes prevailed in the second half against the No. 12 South Dakota State Jackrabbits, winning the game 81-73. The Buckeyes keep their dancing shoes on, and will face the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Saturday—once again.
Junior forward Keita Bates-Diop put on a tour de force performance in the first half, leading the Buckeyes with 17 points. He would end the game with 22 points—and also picked up five rebounds.
On the other side of the court, the Jackrabbits had a 17-point first half outing from a star of their own, Mike Daum.