Freshman Jared Sullinger bolstered his case for national player of the year honors on Saturday evening, completing a pair of three-point plays in the final minute to help No. 2 Ohio State escape with a 69-66 victory over visiting Penn State.

Sullinger turned a hook shot into a three-point play with 59.8 seconds left to put the Buckeyes in front, 66-63, but David Jackson was fouled on a putback at the other end, tying the game again with 43.2 seconds on the clock. That's when Ohio State (18-0, 5-0 Big Ten) went right back to Sullinger, who was fouled coming across the lane on another hook with 13.2 seconds to go.

Penn State (10-7, 3-3) had a chance to force overtime, but Talor Battle was short on a contested 3-point shot as time expired.

Sullinger and fellow freshman Aaron Craft each scored 19 points for Ohio State, with Craft adding seven assists off the bench.

Jackson finished with 19 points for Penn State, which rallied back from a 10-point second-half deficit.