Rutgers could go on for at least another year without a first win at Value City Arena.

For the seventh time in a seven-game trip to Columbus, the Scarlet Knights lost to Ohio State in a commanding 67-66 decision on Thursday after the Buckeyes threw a 3-pointer at the buzzer.

A brutal finish wiped out a strong second half from center Cliff Omolui (14 points on 6/7 shooting in the last 20 minutes) and forward Andre Hiatt (8 points on 4/8 shooting) and a guard. of Cam Spencer (11 points, 5 assists and 2 steals on 5/8 shooting) and a decent defensive performance against the 3rd most efficient offense in the nation entering the contest. They couldn’t stop Buckeyes center Zedd Key (22 points on 9-of-12 shooting, 14 rebounds and 2 assists) and couldn’t keep the hosts off the grass ( Ohio State scored eight second-chance points out of 13 offensive rebounds.) Couldn’t stop shooting himself in the leg (13 turnovers led to 18 Ohio State points) and couldn’t prevent a dagger three-pointer at the buzzer.

The Scarlet Knights scored efficiently enough when they didn’t turn the ball over, shooting 51.9% overall and scoring 14 points on 14 Buckeyes turnovers, but led with 12 draws. It wasn’t good enough to come out on top in the games I played. Changed 12 more times.

The teams exchanged leads nine times in the final 14 minutes, but never went up more than two points in that stretch.

Rutgers got off to a strong start, leading 11-5 in the first four minutes after hitting four of their first six shots. But the Buckeyes fought back, outscoring Rutgers 26-9 over the next 12 minutes, dominating the Grass (9 offensive rebounds to 6 second-chance points) and making 9 turnovers leading to 10 points. Forced. Scarlett his Knights were lucky to stay 11 points behind him, making 50% from the floor and 41.7% from 3-pointers in his first 20 minutes, effective when not turning the ball over. Avoided a puncture with an attack. They fought back with an 11–0 run at the end of either of the first half, keeping Ohio State scoreless for another six minutes of the first half.

The Buckeyes regained the lead, but the Scarlet Knights hung within five points over the next five minutes, eventually gaining their first lead since the 15-minute mark in the first half at 13 minutes.

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Rutgers took the lead with 1:44 remaining and Spencer hit a huge jumper. Paul Marcheihi hit two clutch free throws, but Caleb McConnell missed the second after hitting a 1-1 front end, leaving the window open for the Buckeyes. they took it.

Rutgers doesn’t have much time to think about defeat. Competitor Seton Hall will be at the Garden State Hardwood Classic in Piscataway on Sunday.

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To contact Brian Fonseca: bfonseca@njadvancemedia.com.