Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann had strong words for his 22nd-ranked Buckeyes at halftime Tuesday night, and junior E.J. Liddell got his message.
The 6-foot-7 Liddell scored 17 of his career-high 19 points in the second half as the Buckeyes overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to hold off feisty Notre Dame 90-85 in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.
“(Hollmann) said I needed to play harder and lead the team better,” said Liddell, who finished with a double-double thanks to his 12 rebounds and was one of five Buckeyes in double figures.
Liddell’s defensive rebound and put-back basket with 50 seconds remaining gave the Buckeyes breathing room at 85-80.
C.J. Walker, who finished with 16 points along with Justice Seuing, then hit four free throws down the stretch for Ohio State. Duane Washington Jr. had 13 points and Justin Ahrens finished with 12 — all on 3-pointers — as the Buckeyes improved to 4-0 by hitting 11 of 23 3-pointers and 21 of 24 free throws.