COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann was tossed for arguing calls with officials and making contact with a referee as the Buckeyes lost 65-60 to Wisconsin Thursday night.
Holtmann was tossed just before the first half ended. During a press conference, he said he was having a hard time communicating with the official.
"The first technical was warranted. I deserved the first technical. I don't believe the second one was, but officials are gonna do what they wanna do," Holtmann said. "I gotta be more composed."
Meanwhile, Connor Essegian led the Badgers with 17 points against the Buckeyes.
Wisconsin led 62-47 with 7:18 remaining before Ohio State scored the next 13 points to get within 62-60. The Badgers missed their final nine field goals and Hepburn made 3 of 4 foul shots in the last 24 seconds to blunt the late Ohio State rally.
Despite Ohio State's 16 turnovers, Wisconsin allowed the Buckeyes to hang around as the Badgers made just 13 of 22 foul shots.
Steven Crowl scored half of his 14 points as part of 9-0 Wisconsin run early in the first half and Max Klesmit scored 12 for the Badgers (13-8, 5-6 Big 10).
Brice Sensabaugh scored 13 points and Zed Key 12 for the Buckeyes (11-11, 3-8). Ohio State now has lost eight of its last nine, including streaks of three and five.
It was the lone regular-season game between the two teams. The Badgers host Northwestern on Sunday. Ohio State plays at Michigan also on Sunday.
