The Associated Press

Monday, November 27, 2000

Clutch shooting by Jared Nuness, including a free throw with five seconds remaining, enabled Valparaiso to capture third place in the Great Alaska Shootout with a 67-64 victory over Ohio State on Saturday.

After Valparaiso trailed the first 12 minutes of the second half, Nuness hit back-to-back 3-pointers that gave the Crusaders a lead they never relinquished.

But just barely.

Valparaiso missed eight free throws in the final 3:29 and three in the final 28 seconds to keep Ohio State in the game.

The Buckeyes did not help themselves by turning the ball over twice in the final 38 seconds.

Three free throws by Jason Jenkins in six seconds gave Valparaiso a 66-61 lead with 12 seconds to go. Nuness’ free throw after a three-point play by Brian Brown forced Ohio State’s Sean Connolly to throw up an off-balance 3-pointer on an in-bounds play with one second remaining.

Ohio State (2-2) led 44-39 with 13:40 left in the game on a Brown 3-pointer but then went nine minutes without a field goal. By the time Zach Williams scored on a follow-up and a free throw with 4:33 left, the Buckeyes trailed 55-52.

Ohio State’s biggest lead was four in a first half that featured five ties and 11 lead changes. Valparaiso (3-1) stayed in the game by hitting 7-8 from the free throw line but finished just 18-29.

Jenkins led the Crusaders with 22. Brown and Williams each had 16 for Ohio State.