NEW YORK—It looked like Ohio State’s winning streak to start the season was over.The third-ranked Buckeyes were down eight points to Notre Dame with less than 2 minutes to play and their offense was nowhere to be found.They still had their tough defense and somehow they were able to turn the game completely around and beat the Fighting Irish 64-61 on Saturday night in the BlackRock Gotham Classic at Madison Square Garden.While a few players did come up with big defensive plays, it was mostly one guy who made the free throws for the Buckeyes (12-0).Lenzelle Smith Jr. scored seven of his nine points in the final 33 seconds — including going 5 of 5 at the line — to lead the rally.The Buckeyes went 9:10 without a field goal and at one point were 6 of 21 from the field as Notre Dame (8-4) opened what seemed to be a comfortable lead late.Jerian Grant hit a 3-pointer as the shot clock was expiring to give the Fighting Irish a 58-50 advantage with 1:54 to play.

“I am so thoroughly disappointed,” Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said. “We had such a good chance at such a great win.”

The Buckeyes turned up the defensive intensity and they converted consecutive steals into a 58-56 deficit with 40 seconds to go.Demetrius Jackson made two free throws for Notre Dame a second later.Smith was fouled taking a 3-pointer and he made all three free throws to bring Ohio State within 60-59 with 32 seconds left.Steve Vasturia, who was in the game because point guard Eric Atkins had fouled out, missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 31 seconds left, his first free throw attempt of the season.Smith scored down low on a nice pass by Craft to give the Buckeyes a 61-60 lead with 16 seconds to go. After a Notre Dame turnover, Smith made two free throws for a 63-60 lead with 9.8 seconds left.Grant made one free throw with 6.7 seconds left and Craft made one free throw with 3.3 seconds left.Jackson missed a potential tying 3 as the buzzer sounded.