Last-second 3-pointer boosts Buckeyes
Roughly FORT MYERS, FLA. — one dozen seconds had passed since Meechie Johnson had been part of a potentially game-changing play.
With Ohio State clinging to a 76-74 lead, the Buckeyes had the ball with about a 17-second difference between the game and shot clocks and a chance to finish off No. 21 Seton Hall. Instead, an ill-advised E.J. Liddell pass from the right wing back toward midcourt was lost by the second-year guard and the Pirates got a game-tying layup from Jamir Harris with 14 seconds to play.
Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann still had a timeout to burn. He opted to keep it in his pocket and let an unspecified few players win the game for the Buckeyes, and after taking a pass from Kyle Young well behind the 3-point line Johnson gave a soft jab step on Bryce Aiken and pulled up from about 25 feet.
The shot banged home with about two seconds left, setting off a celebration on the court at Suncoast Credit Union Arena as Ohio State won, 79-76.
“It’s just a blessing from God, man,” Johnson said after the game. “Ohio State’s always been a dream school of mine, and to be in that moment like that, to help win the game with your team and for the state of Ohio, for Cleveland, everything, man. It means a lot.”
It’s been a long time com- ing for Johnson, a prized recruit from Garfield Heights, Ohio, who missed his entire junior season of high school after tearing the ACL in his right knee. Instead of playing a full senior season of high school basketball, Johnson graduated early, joined the Buckeyes in mid-December and played nearly 100 min- utes as a first-year reserve.
Jo nson said his last game-winning shot came during his sophomore season, pre-injury.
“I was just thinking, get a score for the team,” he said. “Coach called a play, seemed like it was for me. It was a gutsy shot. It went in and teammates had confidence in me and the coaches did.”
On the broadcast, legendary broadcaster Bill Raftery yelled out, “Big-time onions!” as the cameras cut to Johnson being mobbed by his teammates.