As arguably the most inconsistent player on the 2015-16 Ohio State men’s basketball squad, many wondered how freshman guard JaQuan Lyle would follow up his career-high 29-point outburst in OSU’s previous game at Indiana. In fact, just as many wondered how the Buckeyes would respond as a whole, after their seven-game winning streak was ended in convincing fashion by way of a 25-point drubbing by the Hoosiers. On Wednesday evening, playing at home against Rutgers, both responses were positive, a critical step forward for the young player and his young team. OSU (12-6, 4-1) looked shaky at best in the first half, but responded with a dominant second-half surge to top Rutgers (6-12, 0-5) 94-68 behind a triple-double from Lyle. The Evansville, Indiana, native exploded for 16 points to go along with 12 rebounds and 11 assists. “It’s a great thing to do,” Lyle said. “I’ve just got to keep getting better every game, and hopefully I can get another one.” The opening half saw OSU outscored 41-39 by the visitors for two glaring reasons: a showcase of unreasonably hot shooting by the Scarlet Knights and a lack of contribution by any OSU player besides Lyle. Rutgers shot 6-of-13 from 3-point range in the first half, led by four triples by freshman Corey Sanders. The guard led all scorers in the first half with 17 points, including a 3-pointer and a four-point play on Rutgers’ first two offensive possessions. The Scarlet Knights continued to do damage from the outside throughout the first half, eventually building a lead as big as eight. But the Buckeyes, led predominantly by Lyle, were able to climb back to make it a two-point game at the break. “Offensively, we weren’t that bad,” OSU coach Thad Matta said of the opening half. “But defensively, we were just not active, not moving, not guarding.” Lyle’s sensational first half saw him score 11 points on 5-of-10 shooting, as well as 10 of the Buckeyes’ 14 rebounds — his first collegiate double-double — and all four of their assists. Besides Lyle, junior forward Marc Loving and sophomore forward Keita Bates-Diop chipped in seven points apiece, but a combined two points from centers Trevor Thompson, Daniel Giddens and David Bell contributed to the rough start — though the Buckeyes did outscore Rutgers in the paint in the first half 22-14. As Matta addressed his players in the locker room, the team knew one of those two items — Rutgers shooting the lights out or Lyle needing to carry the team — would have to turn around in the second half in order for OSU to be able to get back on the winning side. …
Continue Reading: JaQuan Lyle’s triple-double propels Ohio State men’s basketball to victory over Rutgers
