Devin Royal had 19 points and Bruce Thornton scored five of his 18 in a second overtime as Ohio State rallied to beat Minnesota 89-88 on Monday night.
Thornton hit a 3-pointer for Ohio State (10-5, 2-2 Big Ten Conference) to begin the second extra period, Aaron Bradshaw followed with a three-point play and Ques Glover capped a 7-0 run with a layup to give the Buckeyes the lead for good.
Minnesota (8-7, 0-4) had a chance to win in the first overtime, but Mike Mitchell Jr. — a 91% free-throw shooter — missed twice with six seconds left and the Golden Gophers leading 73-71. John Mobley Jr. made two free throws with four seconds remaining to force a second extra period.
Royal stole the ball and dunked with five seconds left in regulation but missed on his chance for a three-point play, forcing overtime tied at 64.
