The University of Minnesota men's basketball team (12-7, 4-4) fell to the Ohio State Buckeyes (11-9, 4-5) 68-73 in Columbus, Ohio today. Two free throws from Jerry Holman with 12 seconds remaining in the game brought Minnesota within four, but the Golden Gophers were unable power past the Buckeyes in the final seconds. Minnesota has now lost five of six road games this season.

Minnesota started the second half up by one, but a three-pointer from Ohio State's Emonte Jernigan gave them a 40-38 lead. Despite tying it up three times in the half, the Maroon and Gold were never able to regain the lead after the 18:30 mark in the second half.

After Ohio State advanced their lead to nine at the 5:30 mark, the Golden Gophers pulled back within three with just 1:31 remaining. But, Minnesota was unable to power themselves past Ohio State going 0-for-5 from the field and scoring just two free throws as the clock expired.

Despite strong shooting in the first half, Minnesota finished the game 25-of-67 from the field for 37 percent and just 9-of-36, 25 percent, from beyond the arc.

The first half saw several lead changes and ties as Minnesota relied on its three-point shooting to hold a one-point lead as the buzzer sounded. The Golden Gophers were 14-of-33 from the field with seven of those field goals coming from three-point range. However, with the Maroon and Gold committing six turnovers and 14 fouls, the Buckeyes were able to keep the game close in the half keeping Minnesota's highest lead to just five at the 2:46 mark.

In the final two minutes of the first half, Ohio State fought back from a five-point deficit to tie Minnesota at 35 with 1:35 remaining. A three-pointer from Michael Bauer regained the lead for Minnesota, yet the Buckeyes' Matt Marinchick made a jumper with seconds remaining to bring Ohio State within one at the break.

Minnesota was led by Maurice Hargrow with 17 points and eight rebounds. Bauer added 16 points and nine rebounds.

Jernigan led the way for the Buckeyes with 21 points and 6 rebounds. Brent Darby pitched in 18 points.

The Golden Gophers will face the conference leading Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, February 8 at 1:30 p.m. in Williams Arena.