Ohio State pulls away from Gonzaga for 73-66 win

By Will Graves

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, March 17 2012 3:35 p.m. MDT

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Ohio State's Deshaun Thomas (1) dribbles around Gonzaga's Michael Hart during the first half of an NCAA tournament third-round college basketball game in Pittsburgh, Saturday, March 17, 2012.

Gene J. Puskar, AP Photo

Summary

Jared Sullinger scored 18 points, including two big baskets in the final 3 minutes to lead Ohio State past Gonzaga 73-66 on Saturday and into the round of 16.

PITTSBURGH — Jared Sullinger scored 18 points, including two big baskets in the final 3 minutes to lead Ohio State past Gonzaga 73-66 on Saturday and into the round of 16.

DeShaun Thomas also scored 18 for the second-seeded Buckeyes (29-7), while Aaron Craft added 17 points and 10 assists. Ohio State advanced to the East Regional semifinals for the second consecutive year and will play Florida State or Cincinnati in Boston on Thursday.

Gary Bell Jr. led No. 7 seed Gonzaga (26-7) with 18 points, but the Bulldogs were unable to become the third team to knock off a No. 2 seed in less than 24 hours.

Gonzaga erased a 10-point deficit to tie it at 61 on a 3-pointer by Elias Harris with 4:05 remaining, but Sullinger knocked down two pretty hook shots late while the Bulldogs went cold.

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