Ohio State vs. Notre Dame final score: Buckeyes win behind improbable comeback

It was a comeback for the ages Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

The scoreboard will tell you No. 3 Ohio State beat Notre Dame, 64-61, in the BlackRock Gotham Classic to remain unbeaten. The game tape will tell you that it easily could have been a double-digit Notre Dame win.

Notre Dame hit two free throws on the other end, but then fouled a three-point shooter on Ohio State’s next possession. Lenzelle Smith knocked down all three free throws to make it a one-point game. His layup 16 seconds later put Ohio State up by one with 16 seconds remaining.

In total, the Buckeyes made up nine points in 34 seconds.

After the Smith layup, the Buckeyes made three more free throws to provide the final margin. Ohio State outscored Notre Dame 14-3 in the final 50 seconds.

Ohio State led by seven at halftime until the Irish defense clamped down and eventually put them back on top. They held Ohio State without a field goal for about nine minutes midway through the second half, and it looked like there was an upset in the making.

Grant’s three with 1:57 remaining made it 58-50, matching Notre Dame’s largest lead. But that was also the Irish’s last field goal, and from there it was a miracle minute for Ohio State.

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