CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) – Ohio State spent the entire second half clawing back from a huge deficit against North Carolina, finally pulling even with the Tar Heels. And then, in the span of a few seconds, the Buckeyes went from hopeful to heartbroken. The Tar Heels beat Ohio State 86-84 on Monday night in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, blowing a 23-point lead before winning it on freshman Jamie Cherry’s jumper with 0.6 seconds remaining. “When you invest that much in a game and you don’t win it,” Buckeyes coach Kevin McGuff said, “it’s going to sting.” Ameryst Alston had 30 points for the fifth-seeded Buckeyes (24-11), who never led but tied it twice during a frantic final minute – the last coming when Kelsey Mitchell’s free throws made it 84-all with 5.1 seconds left. “I never thought that we were out of the game,” Mitchell said, “but I did think when we buckled down and played defense like we’re supposed to, we can make something happen.” Allisha Gray inbounded to Cherry, who raced down the right sideline through the Ohio State pressure and pulled up for an 18-footer that swished through. It was the second clutch shot this month for the freshman, who hit a 40-footer at the regulation buzzer to force overtime in an eventual loss to Louisville on March 6 in an Atlantic Coast Conference quarterfinal. “It was the same feeling,” Cherry said. “I still was nervous.” Several members of North Carolina’s bench ran onto the court in celebration before the buzzer sounded. The Buckeyes didn’t get a shot off before the horn. …
Continue Reading: Ohio State season ends with 86-84 loss to UNC on late shot
