Heavy ice packs on their knees, Marc Loving and JaQuan Lyle lumbered more than strolled into postgame interviews Tuesday. The pair, along with sophomore Kam Williams, had scored 18 points each to lead Ohio State past Akron in the first round of the NIT.
It didn’t come easy. In his first career start in place of Keita Bates-Diop, who missed the game with a sore throat, Williams joined Loving to play all 45 minutes of the overtime victory. Lyle played all but one minute.
The scenario could repeat today as Ohio State plays Florida in the second round at Value City Arena.