EAST LANSING, Mich., Jan. 8 (UPI) -- Keith Appling hit a 3-point shot in overtime Tuesday to help fourth-ranked Michigan State salvage a 72-68 victory over visiting No. 3 Ohio State.
A crowd of 14,797 braved the brutal cold in East Lansing to watch the Spartans (14-1, 3-0 Big Ten) rally after blowing a 17-point lead late in regulation and win their seventh consecutive game.
It was the first loss of the season for Ohio State (15-1, 2-1)
Appling finished with 20 points to lead the Spartans. Adreian Payne scored 18 points off the bench and Gary Harris scored 13.
Sam Thompson led Ohio State with 18 points and Marc Loving added 10. None of Ohio State's starters reached double figures, although the Buckeyes out-rebounded the Spartans 42-28.
Michigan State was in control until the home stretch when Ohio State scored 17 of the final 20 points scored in regulation to tie the score 58-58 at the buzzer.
