Ohio State survives NU for OT win
INDIANAPOLIS — In the tight quarters of Conseco Fieldhouse's visiting locker room Friday afternoon, Northwestern's players had no room for privacy.
The Wildcats also had no desire to hide their reddened eyes after taking top-ranked Ohio State to overtime in a Big Ten tournament quarterfinal.
Ohio State freshman Jared Sullinger nailed 11 of 12 free throws in the final six minutes — fouling out NU centers Davide Curletti and Luka Mirkovic in the process — as the Wildcats came up on the short end of a 67-61 effort.
Northwestern became the first team to play Ohio State to the wire twice — matching its 58-57 home loss on Jan. 29 — but didn't relish the distinction.
“It doesn't feel good at all,” said Curletti, his eyes raw. “When we played them at our house, we almost won. And now this ... it's really disappointing.”
Now Northwestern (18-13) must sit and sweat out the NIT selection process.
ESPNU reveals the field at 8 p.m. Sunday, and senior point guard Michael “Juice” Thompson (15 points) expects a bid for the third year in a row.
“It's definitely going to be a long ride back to Evanston,” Thompson said. “But just have to move on and focus on the next postseason.”
Judging by the tight score throughout, Northwestern looked like it belonged in the NCAA Tournament.
Neither team led by more than 5 until the final seconds. Northwestern took its last lead on Alex Marcotullio's 3-pointer with 2:18 to go in regulation.
Ohio State coach Thad Matta screamed that Marcotullio released the ball after the shot-clock buzzer — and replays suggested as much — but the rules prohibited a review.
If NU and its fans felt they caught a break from the officials at that point, the feeling quickly dissipated.
Sullinger, foreshadowing the overtime, took the ball in the post and drew a foul with 1:00 to go in regulation.
He made 1 free throw to make it 52-52, but NU's Drew Crawford missed a tough 15-footer with 25 seconds left.
When Sullinger missed a baseline turnaround at the buzzer, the tired squads needed five more minutes to settle things.
Ohio State won the tip and then tipped its hand. Its four perimeter players stayed on the 3-point arc and allowed Sullinger to pound 1-on-1 in the post.
He drew fouls from Mirkovic on the first two possessions and made the free throws.
Mirkovic answered with a 3-pointer, but then came the biggest moment of overtime.
After being whistled for fouling Sullinger while reaching for a long rebound, Mirkovic slammed his mouthguard to the floor.
Official Terry Wymer slapped him with a technical that sent Mirkovic to the bench with his fifth foul.
“I wasn't coming at the referee,” Mirkovic said. “I was just upset at myself that I let Sullinger get the ball.”
Northwestern pulled within 4 points a few times, but Sullinger (20 points, 18 rebounds) kept getting the ball in the post and getting fouled.
The nimble 270-pound freshman finished 16 of 18 from the line — matching Northwestern's total.
“What are you supposed to do about that?” said Ohio State's David Lighty. “That's a big man down low. I'm just happy he's on my team.”
And the Buckeyes (30-2) are happy they won't face the Wildcats again this year.
“They have crazy discipline,” Sullinger said. “I can't even explain it. They run their offense, nobody tries to make great plays, nobody tries to go out of the ordinary.
“They stay consistent with their system, and that's what makes Northwestern so hard to play and makes them so good.”
Ÿ Follow Lindsey Willhite's reports on Twitter @WillhiteHerald, and check out his Joe Sports blog at dailyherald.com.