Ohio State is headed to the Round of 32 for the first time in three years.
The seventh-seeded Buckeyes leaned on their defense as they made things difficult for No. 10 seed Loyola all day, ultimately securing a 54-41 win in a low-scoring Friday affair in Pittsburgh. Ohio State notched just its second win in the past six games to advance past the first round of the NCAA Tournament at PPG Paints Arena as a week off of game action appeared to pay dividends for the scarlet and gray.
The Buckeyes pulled ahead by double digits early in the second half and staved Loyola off from there as they led for the entirety of the final 20 minutes.