DAYTON, Ohio — Iowa State’s NCAA tournament hopes were dashed with just one second remaining on Sunday.

After crawling back from a 13-point second-half deficit, Iowa State (23-12) watched guard Aaron Craft hit a 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds remaining to give a 78-75 loss that ended its season after one NCAA tournament victory. 

Iowa State played the second half without guard Chris Babb after he sprained his ankle in the first half against No. 2-seeded Ohio State (28-7). With the team’s biggest defender out, Ohio State shot 12-of-19 from the field in the second half, including 6-of-7 on 3-pointers.

Craft’s game-winning shot came after ISU guard Will Clyburn was called for a charge while scoring a basket. NCAA head of officials, John Adams, told CBS following the game that the wrong call was made on the play.

Had a block been called on Ohio State, Clyburn would have scored with a chance at a free throw that could have pushed Iowa State ahead 78-74 with 1:41 remaining in the game. 

The Cyclones were led by senior guard Korie Lucious, who scored 19 points and went 5-of-7 beyond the arc. Clyburn scored 17 points for Iowa State in the loss.

Turning Point

Following a timeout by Ohio State with 29.9 seconds remaining in the game with the score tied 75-75, Craft held the ball for a last-second shot. After holding the ball for the duration of the possession, Craft shot his only 3-pointer of the game with 0.2 seconds remaining and made it to give the Buckeyes the 78-75 victory. 

X Factor

Aaron Craft — Craft entered the game averaging 9.7 points per game for the Buckeyes. On Sunday he scored 18 points and dished out six assists. After struggling for a short stretch in the second half, Craft drew the charge called on Clyburn and then hit the game-winner for the Buckeyes. 

By the Numbers

18 — Ohio State scored 18 points off of 16 turnovers by Iowa State. 

12 — The Cyclones had 12 offensive rebounds compared to three for the Buckeyes. Iowa State out-scored Ohio State on second chance points, 10-3.

Quotables

“I’ve never had [any] regrets with this season, six seniors brought us back and to have it taken away on one play, it’s just tough to handle. I apologized to them, I could have had a hand up earlier. But we’ll move on and come back stronger next season.” — ISU freshman forward Georges Niang on the last-second loss for Iowa State.

“People have been doubting us all year. That’s the story of the season, we just keep fighting and it seems like every time under 30 seconds we just get a bad bounce.” — Niang on the Cyclones’ multiple close losses this season. 

“I tried to do some slides, a couple jogs, and I couldn’t move lateral at all. As bad as I wanted to be out there with my team I didn’t want to be that selfish and put us at a disadvantage.” — ISU guard Chris Babb on whether he could have returned with his sprained ankle. 

“We’ve seen so many buzzer-beaters, so many shots go in at the last second of the game in about four or five of our games this year, a lot of overtimes and things like that. It just broke my heart to go through it again.” — ISU guard Korie Lucious on the loss. 

“I told these guys I love them. It’s heartbreaking for those six seniors who won’t put on an Iowa State uniform again.” — ISU coach Fred Hoiberg on what he told his team in the locker room following the loss.