To use an old cliché, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
The Buckeyes (13-9, 3-8 Big Ten) kept things close the entire way but failed to close down the stretch against Iowa (13-9, 5-6), dropping their 15th consecutive road game and seventh contest of their last eight in 79-77 fashion.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|
| OHIO STATE | 38 | 39 | 77 |
| IOWA | 36 | 43 | 79 |
Iowa received 20 points from guard Tony Perkins.