By Matt McCoy

To listen to Thad Matta after Ohio State's 69-59 win over Northwestern click HERE:

When Ohio State scores 70 points at a home game, the fans get free french fries from McDonald's. For most of the Buckeye win over Northwestern Thursday night, it looked like there was no chance for the free food. In the end, they went home hungry by only one point.

Northwestern, with only eight dressed players because of a rash of injuries, made 11 of their first 21 3-point shots and were tied with the Buckeyes at 57 with 3 minutes to go. That's when the Wildcats started to miss and the Buckeyes finally asserted themselves, scoring 12 straight points. They eventually won 69-59.

"I said to the guys, I love the way we kept our composure," Coach Thad Matta said. "In today's day and age, this is a heck of a win for us."

Deshaun Thomas scored 22 points, 15 of them came in the last 8:51. After missing nine of his first 11 shots, Thomas made four of his last six and hit a career high 10 free throws on 12 attempts.

"Shots weren't falling (early) that I normally make and it was getting a little bit frustrating," Thomas said. "But then, one thing I showed at the end is a lot of maturity. When my name was called, my teammates needed me, I excuted really well and got it done."

But the opportunity for free grub for the 15,842 at the Schottenstein Center became real in the final minute, when Northwestern became desparate and missed quick 3-point shots. 

On consecutive possessions, Sam 'Slam' Thompson, got free for thunderous dunks. The second made ESPN's top plays, as Thompson whirled in the air, throwing down a 360-jam to make the score 67-57 with 32 seconds left. That's when the students and fans started to realize the fries were in play.

Another Northwestern miss was followed by a quick foul of Thomas, who hit the two free throws to make it 69-57---but that would be it for the Buckeye scoring.

The Wildcats scored the final two points on a dunk with 16 seconds left. Despite the urging of the fans for either another Northwestern foul or another Ohio State basket, it never came as the Buckeyes just dribbled out the clock. You could hear collective and playful groan from the fans...so close to $1 worth of free fries..but yet so far.

Nonetheless, the Thompson dunks were crowd-pleasers. The first is rather generic--the second, however--will make Sam's highlight reel. If you missed them, or would like to re-live them, here you go.