Take Twenty-four

Undefeated Ohio State manhandled Minnesota 82-69 at Williams Arena in Minneapolis Sunday. The top-ranked Buckeyes basketball team collected their 24th consecutive win in their latest victory over the 18th ranked Gophers. David Lighty sparked the Buckeyes with 19 points and all five starters for Thad Matta finished with double figure games. Ohio State’s unbeaten season still stands, despite a physical, foul-filled conference contest on the road.
Jared Sullinger scored 18 points and pulled down 13 rebounds in the Buckeyes’ 11th Big Ten win. William Buford added 15 in Ohio State’s second win in Minnesota in the last six tries. The Bucks’ hot hand began the game by building a 28-16 lead. The Gophers trailed by eight at the half as the balanced and athletic Buckeyes controlled the pace. Dallas Lauderdale helped the Buckeyes pull away early in the second half with solid inside shooting. Lauderdale scored the first six points of the second half. Lauderdale and Jon Diebler finished with ten points apiece and combined for 13 rebounds against the conference’s leading rebounding squad. Ohio State’s free throw shooting was anything but stellar. Sullinger made just two of his eight attempts from the line and the team averaged just 50% in the game.
The Gophers were led by Blake Hoffarber’s 16 buckets, followed by Ralph Sampson III’s 14. Freshman reserve, Chip Armelin chipped in 14 points as Minnesota lost for the fourth straight game. Minnesota didn’t have enough firepower, although they kept the contest a competitive one. They would only get as close as ten points, keyed by a couple of clutch three pointers. The Gophers stuck with a zone defense in the final period and succeeded in limiting the Bucks to ten points in the last four minutes. The Gophers Achilles heel seemed to be turnovers, as they matched their season high 19 in the defeat. Next up for the nation’s number one team is a Saturday visit to Wisconsin.

Parting Points: GO STEELERS! Happy Superbowl Sunday.