Ohio State entered Tuesday having not lost a season-opening game since 2003-04, and the Buckeyes kept that streak alive by the skin of their teeth against Akron.
The Buckeyes had a final shot to win the game down 66-65 with 3.2 seconds remaining on the clock, and freshman guard Malaki Branham found sophomore forward Zed Key inside for a layup to take the lead. With 0.2 seconds left on the clock thereafter, Akron could not score to win the game, resulting in a 67-66 win for Ohio State.
With six seconds left in the game, the Buckeyes were holding onto a three-point lead when Zips forward Ali Ali converted a four-point play, hitting a three and drawing the fifth foul of the night on Ohio State’s E.