Seton Hall junior Tray Jackson (2) dunks during the Pirates’ loss to Ohio State Monday night in the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off opener. To view more photos from the game, visit capecoralbreeze.com. MICHAEL PISTELLA / mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

On the campus of Florida SouthWestern State College, Ohio State clashed with No. 21 Seton Hall in what was the game of the night, while the home-state No. 23 University of Florida took down Cal in impressive fashion.

In the first game in the Beach Division, the Buckeyes (4-1) held on to defeat the top-25 ranked Pirates 79-76 behind 28 points from junior forward E.J. Liddell, who has been named to several preseason award watch lists, including NABC Player of the Year, and was named a Preseason All-American and Preseason All-Big Ten standout by numerous outlets.

The final few minutes of the game were dramatic and featured back and forth baskets and short lead changes. With 14 seconds to play and down by two, Seton Hall (3-1) guard Jamir Harris picked off a pass and drove the length of the court to tie the game at 76. As the Buckeyes moved back down the count, freshman guard and Ohio native Meechie Johnson Jr. worked his way free behind the 3-point line at the top of the arch and buried his shot with 2 seconds to play and give his team the win.

“All glory goes to God. I was just thinking, honestly, just get a score for the team,” Johnson Jr. said. “Coach called a play, seemed like it was for me, and it was a gutsy shot, it went in and (my) teammates and coaches had confidence in me. It was a great moment.”

Ohio State junior E.J. Liddell (32) scores two of his 28 points in the Buckeyes’ 79-76 win over Seton Hall in the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off opener Monday night. To view more photos from the game, visit capecoralbreeze.com. MICHAEL PISTELLA / mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

Johnson Jr. finished with 8 points, two assists and a rebound. Teammate Justin Ahrens was on point from distance, as the senior forward shot 5-for-8 from 3-point land totaling 17 points, adding four rebounds.

Liddell, to go along with his team-high 28, collected six rebounds and was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line.

“I look at (my performance) as me doing my part to help the team win, and I feel like me stepping up in (big) moments and making plays for the team is going to help up win,” Liddell said.

While Fort Myers is a long way from Ohio, there was a sea of red throughout the stands of SunCoast Credit Union Arena, as chants of ‘O-H! I-O!” rang in the rafters.

“They showed up and showed out, honestly,” Liddell said of the Buckeye fans in attendance. “They were doing the Ohio chant around the gym – I felt all of that.”

University of Florida guard Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (24) drives around Cal’s Jalen Celestine during the Gators’ 80-60 win in the 2021 Rocket Mortgage Fort Myers Tip-Off opener Monday night. To view more photos from the game, visit capecoralbreeze.com. MICHAEL PISTELLA / mpistella@breezenewspapers.com

Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann was pleased with his team’s performance following a tough loss to Xavier in the Buckeyes’ last game and had high praise for Johnson Jr.

“He’s gutsy, he’s not afraid of the moment,” Holtmann said. “I think you’re always looking for that for guys late. What I’ve been pleased with Meechie, is I think his attitude and approach has been what you see in good players who get better.”

For the Pirates, Jared Rhoden was stellar on the evening, dropping a game-high 29 points (8-of-15) adding five rebounds, a block and steal. Bryce Aiken chipped in 16 for Seton Hall with two rebounds and two steals.

Gators take a bite out of the Golden Bears

No. 23 UF (4-0) was dominant in the second game of the Beach Division, as the Gators handled Cal, 80-60, where 10 different Gators recorded points.

Senior forward Colin Castleton paced Florida with 16 points (6-of-11) eight rebounds, three assists and a block. Three other Gators scored in double-figures, including guards Tyree Appleby (15), Myreon Jones (13) and Phlandrous Fleming Jr. (11).

“(We had) pretty good ball movement. It obviously wasn’t perfect – a lot of stuff to clean up with setting and using screens – but the overall level of unselfishness we continue to talk about is very important for good offenses to have,” said UF head coach Mike White.

The Gators turned Cal (2-3) over 18 times in the game, scoring 19 points off of those errors. The defensive effort also included three blocks and 10 steals.

“I feel like we’re getting more and more connected, we’re getting better,” Castleton said. “We set a standard and we want to play above it every night. If we keep working and keep being hungry, we’re going to be a really good defensive team.”

Florida will meet Ohio State on Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. on FS1 in the tournament title game with Seton Hall taking on Cal in the third-place bout at 6.

Palms Division teams Southern Utah, Yale, Milwaukee, and Bowling Green play Tuesday with their championship game Wednesday at 1:30 p.m.

For additional information about the tournament and for tickets, visit www.fortmyerstipoff.com.

— Connect with this reporter on Twitter: @haddad_cj