UConn Huskies at Ohio State Buckeyes

Thompson double-double powers Ohio State past UConn

Jalen Adams made a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left and converted a 3-point play eight seconds later to pull UConn within three, but Ohio State's Marc Loving hit a free throw put the lead back to four. The Huskies missed their final three shots.

Thompson averaged 10.3 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in 20 minutes of play. He played for 30 minutes and reached a career high in points and rebounds. Connecticut coach Kevin Ollie described Thompson's presence as a "monster."

"(I) definitely came into tonight with a chip on my shoulder after how I played and what happened last year (against Connecticut)," Thompson said. "I told myself before the game that I wanted revenge and payback. That's what my mind was on."

Thompson was primarily a starter last year, but has come off the bench in each of OSU's 10 games. Coach Thad Matta said that, despite mental things, Thompson's play has improved from a season ago.

"It just seems like he's calmed down a little bit more and has got a good focus about how he's playing and what he's doing," Matta said. "He's starting to get a little more instinctive, especially on the defensive end, which is good to see."

UConn shot 54.2 percent from the field in the first 20 minutes, including 4 of 9 from 3. Adams hit a 3-pointer at the first-half buzzer to take a 34-32 lead into halftime, despite 10 team turnovers.

UConn's Vance Jackson was 0 for his last 10 shots and 2 for his previous 18 coming into the game, but the Buckeyes had no answers for him and he scored nine of his 12 points in the first half.

"I felt like he was real aggressive," Ollie said. "I could see him looking for his shot. Our guys were looking for him."

After the under-eight timeout, UConn guard Rodney Purvis nailed a 3-pointer to end a team field-goal drought of more than five minutes. After the two teams traded baskets and were tied at 54, OSU began an 8-0 run that ended up being the difference.

JaQuan Lyle, who had 16 points and only one turnover, converted six straight from the line down the stretch.

Adams led UConn with 19 points.

BIG PICTURE

Ohio State: Coach Thad Matta's team was able to close out a win following a disappointing loss on Tuesday to mid-major Florida Atlantic. The Buckeyes came into the game as one of the worst teams from the free throw line, but made 7 of 8 in the final two minutes and shot 76 percent.

"They were down to seven players tonight and we wanted to go at them and put ourselves in that position to get to the line," Matta said.

Connecticut: The Huskies lost their fifth game of the season in the fewest number of games since Kevin Ollie took over as head coach in 2012. UConn's poor shooting showed in the second half, just 35.5 percent from the field. What hurt the Huskies more than anything was a lack of ball control and foul trouble.

"It's just a scene. It's not the movie. We've been through this before. Our guys have been through this before."

UP NEXT

The Buckeyes and Huskies each have a full week to prepare for their next games. OSU competes in the CBS Sports Classic against No. 2 UCLA in Las Vegas on Dec. 17. UConn hosts the North Florida Ospreys in Storrs, Connecticut, on Dec. 18.

How can I watch UConn vs. Ohio State?

• TV Channel: UConn at Ohio State 2021 College Basketball, week 5, is broadcasted on BTN.
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