Men’s Basketball: Buckeyes drop third-straight after 70-67 loss to Minnesota

Ohio State graduate guard Isaac Likekele (13) is helped up by his teammates during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State senior guard Tanner Holden (0) guard a Minnesota player during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh (10) shoots over a defender during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

The Ohio State basketball team huddles prior to the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State redshirt senior forward Justice Sueing (14) attempts to block the ball during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State senior guard Tanner Holden (0) dunks over a Minnesota defender during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State redshirt senior forward Justice Sueing (14) makes a layup during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate guard Sean McNeil (4) shoots a three during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann coaches his team during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State senior guard Tanner Holden (0) sits in the huddle during a timeout during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State junior forward Zed Key (23) celebrates his first points in the game during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State junior forward Zed Key (23) is helped off the floor by freshman guard Bruce Thornton (2) during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Bruce Thornton (2) shoots a three during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh (10) makes a contested shot during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

The Ohio State basketball team huddles on the court during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State redshirt senior guard Justice Sueing (14) shoots a layup around a defender during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Bruce Thornton shoots an open layup during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State redshirt senior guard Justice Sueing (14) dribbles the ball up the court during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh (10) guards a three point shot during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

The Ohio State basketball team sings Carmen Ohio after the Ohio State-Minnesota game Thursday. Ohio State lost 70-67. Credit: Katie Good | Asst. Photo Editor

In its first home matchup since spring semester classes began, Ohio State fell to Minnesota 70-67 Thursday at Value City Arena.

The Buckeyes struggled offensively throughout the game, shooting 37.5 percent from the field and finding difficulty getting open shots, dishing out just five assists as a team. Freshman forward Brice Sensabaugh recorded his first collegiate double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. 

On the flip side, the Golden Gophers shot efficiently in both halves to the clip of 50 percent, leading by as many as 11 points. Sophomore forward Dawson Garcia scored a season-high 28 points while junior guard Ta’Lon Cooper pulled in 11 rebounds and dished out four assists.

Redshirt senior forward Justice Sueing opened the scoring for Ohio State, but the problems on offense began from there. The Buckeyes never found their groove, shooting 35.7 percent from the field in the first half.

Ohio State trailed by as many as nine points, but a six-point burst from graduate guard Sean McNeil helped cut the deficit to 37-35 heading into the locker room.

The second half saw similar results, with the Buckeyes unable to find consistent scoring output from any of their players. A 10-0 Minnesota run beginning at the 12:10 mark ultimately gave the Golden Gophers a lead they didn’t relinquish.

Despite Ohio State cutting the lead to four with under a minute remaining, Minnesota hit free throws down the stretch to leave Columbus with its first Big Ten win of the season.

Ohio State held a better shooting percentage from 3-point range, shooting 46.2 percent compared to Minnesota’s 31.8 percent. The Buckeyes also converted on 13-of-15 free throw attempts, while the Golden Gophers shot at a 9-for-16 clip.

Minnesota scored 13 points off Ohio State turnovers and dished out 12 assists as a team. On the boards, the Buckeyes outrebounded the Golden Gophers 39-32.

Junior forward Zed Key returned to action after missing two games with a shoulder sprain. Key played 30 minutes and recorded 10 points and eight rebounds.

Ohio State travels to Piscataway, New Jersey, Sunday to play Rutgers in a conference matchup. Big Ten Network will broadcast.