The Swedes experienced it a bit against Russia, but the kid

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State found its energy after a sluggish performance earlier in the week, and the Buckeyes needed every bit of it to beat Providence.JaQuan Lyle scored 20 points and JaeSean Tate added 14 as Ohio State held off the Friars 72-67 on Thursday night.Ohio State (3-0) looked sharper after barely surviving North Carolina Central earlier in the week and won this game despite the efforts of Rodney Bullock, who was 5 for 9 from beyond the 3-point line and scored 27 points for Providence (1-1).It just seemed like we had more flow to us, Ohio State coach Thad Matta said.Trevor Thompson added 12 points for the Buckeyes in their opener of the Gavitt Tipoff Games, an eight-game series featuring Big Ten teams against the Big East.Indiana transfer Emmitt Holt scored 11 for Providence, and Jalen Lindsey booked 10 as the Friars as a team shot just 34 percent from the floor. The Buckeyes made exactly half their shots.Providence, searching for an identity this season after the loss of its two best players to the NBA, couldnt overcome the Ohio State lead but was still in the game in the final few minutes.Bullock closed it to 50-49 at the 10-minute mark with a 3-pointer, but the Buckeyes went on a 9-0 run over the next 1:28 to lengthen the lead again. The Friars pulled within two at the 4-minute mark with an Isiah Jackson 3-pointer, but a series of fouls put Buckeyes at the line and allowed them to build the lead and hang onto it.We fought back a couple different times, Providence coach Ed Cooley said. I think we were down by double digits two different times and found a way to get back. We lost a lot last year, and to grind it out and make it a competitive game right down to the wire, Im really proud of our group.The Buckeyes led the cold-shooting Friars 38-28 at the half, highlighted by a 9-2 run that erased a 17-16 Providence lead, and punctuated with a Keita Bates-Diop dunk off a steal and a 3-pointer from Lyle. Thats the last time the Friars would lead.Ohio State dominated inside, scoring 42 in the paint against Providences 20.I thought we did a good job finishing down there, Matta said. Its been a little bit of a problematic area for us. Our guys did a good job of getting the ball where we wanted it.BIG PICTUREProvidence: The departures of superstar Kris Dunn and sophomore Ben Bentil to the NBA left Cooley without a proven, experienced player around which he could build this years team, although Bullock stepped up to carry the load Thursday. Some of his teammates are going to have to do more for the Friars to be successful.Ohio State: After struggling on Monday, Ohio State triumphed in their first true test of the season. The Buckeyes were able to hold off Providences scrappy second-half charges and keep the lead.We were up by 12 points at one point, but they went on a run, Lyle said. This team last year probably would have folded and end up losing the game. It shows our maturity and how much we have grown up. We will continue to build off this game.INJURY REPORTBates-Diop went down awkwardly with his leg bent behind him about six minutes into the second half. He stayed down awhile, but eventually was helped to his feet and walked to the locker room under his own power. Matta said Bates-Diop was day-to-day with an ankle injury.UP NEXT:Providence: Returns home to play Grambling State on Saturday.Ohio State: Plays Western Carolina at home Monday night. The Buckeyes also play the day before and the day after Thanksgiving.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25.Follow Mitch Stacy at http://twitter.com/mitchstacy Marco Fabian Jersey . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. Jesus Duenas Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. http://www.mexiconationalshop.us/Jesus-Molina-Mexico-Jersey-Soccer/ . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. Candido Ramirez Jersey . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Javier Hernandez Mexico Jersey . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Canada versus Europe, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN2)First place in Group A is on the line Wednesday night when powerhouse Team Canada faces upstart Europe in both teams round-robin finales. Europe, a collage of players from eight countries, stormed out of the gates with a 3-0 upset over Team USA before edging the Czech Republic in overtime, coach Ralph Krueger finding a way to bring all these spare parts into a cohesive squad. After four periods of pretournament play, when Europe had been outscored 9-1 by the North American kids, it appeared the Europeans were the worst team in the tournament. But, as it turns out, the veteran squad just needed a bit of time to find chemistry and one supposes that makes sense because most of them havent played together before. They now resemble a patient, experienced team that is not forcing plays but rather waiting for its opportunities. Credit Krueger, the former longtime Switzerland national team head coach who has a bevy of international hockey experience. Hes formulated a plan and its having an impact. Now he locks horns with Team Canada coach Mike Babcock, the two of them part of the same staff at the Sochi Olympics when Babcock asked Krueger to consult the Canadian group in order to help them adjust to the bigger international ice. So no secrets or surprises between these two coaches.Line watch: The line of Frans Nielsen between Mats Zuccarello and Marian Gaborik has combined for five points in two games and gave both Team USA and the Czechs fits. No question top-line center Anze Kopitar will have a lot on his plate against Team Canada, but if Europe has a shot its because Nielsens line also matches up with success against one of Team Canadas star-studded lines. Speaking of which, Babcock said Tuesday night after the 4-2 win over Team USA that he would likely bring in healthy scratches Claude Giroux and Jake Muzzin, although he didnt confirm who would come out at forward and defense. He did confirm that Corey Crawford would start in goal, spelling Carey Price, and that Braden Holtby would back up and dress for the first time. It makes sense iin a back-to-back situation for Babcock to bring in fresh legs, not to mention help lift the spirits of those players who are such huge parts of their NHL teams and no doubt found it difficult to sit out the opening two games of the tournament.dddddddddddd I really like this decision from Babcock. -- Pierre LeBrunNorth America versus Sweden, 3 p.m. ET (ESPN)As expected, Team Sweden is succeeding at the World Cup. With victories over Russia and Finland, Sweden is 2-0 and remains one of the favorites to win the best-on-best tournament. Its game is consistent. Its roster is deep. Its goaltender is stellar. As strong as Swedens defense has been, it will be tested in a different way against Team North America. The speedy, run-and-gun roster of players 23 and under bring an entirely different dynamic than what Sweden is used to seeing. The Swedes experienced it a bit against Russia, but the kids from North America are faster and younger: they will attack, attack and attack in waves, and have the ability to move the puck side-to-side better than most teams. That will be a challenge for Sweden and goaltender Henrik Lundqvist to stop. The issue for Team North America will be facing such an experienced team like Sweden, which can play any style of game it wants in order to be successful. Sweden will attempt to drastically slow down the kids.Line watch: Team North America coach Todd McLellan shuffled his lines a bit in the last game against Russia and shortened his bench. Forwards Jonathan Drouin and Dylan Larkin lost ice time, too. The coaching staff is still waiting for forward Jack Eichel to have an impact. Itll be fun to see how Swedens line of Carl Hagelin, Marcus Kruger and Jakob Silfverberg match up against any of the units for North America. From a defensive standpoint, the young guns better keep their heads on a swivel because Swedish defenseman Victor Hedman has the speed and physical ability to stop any player in his tracks. -- Joe McDonald ' ' '