Ohio
No. 25 Ohio State has big 2nd half, beats St. Francis 96-59
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Brice Sensabaugh led the Buckeyes with 15 factors and Bruce Thornton added 13 as No. 25 Ohio State surged within the second half for a 96-59 win over St. Francis on Saturday.
The Pink Flash trimmed a 16-point deficit to eight within the first half, with Josh Cohen getting the primary factors after the break. However Ohio State (6-2) went on a 13-5 run, held St. Francis (2-7) scoreless for about 5 minutes within the second half and at one level went up 39 factors.
“I didn’t assume we have been almost pretty much as good as we must be within the first half,” Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann stated. “However our guys responded and performed effectively.”
Roddy Gayle Jr. had 12 factors, Zed Key had 11 and Sean McNeil and Felix Okpara scored 10 apiece for Ohio State, which shot 50.7% from the sector.
St. Francis outshot Ohio State 55.2% to 51.6% within the opening interval, however then went chilly for an 8 of 30 second half.
Cohen completed with 18 factors and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Cam Gregory added a career-high 15 factors and Maxwell Land scored 14 for the Pink Flash.
“You’ll be able to’t put your self in these conditions, No. 1, with these factors within the paint as a result of now all the pieces gravitates in the direction of defending the paint,” St. Francis coach Rob Krimmel stated. “While you open it up, these photographs turn out to be a bit bit simpler however I believe the physicality of it was lesson for these guys.”
BUCKEYE LINEAGE
St. Francis guard Brendan Scanlon is the grandson of former Ohio State guard Gary Milliken, who was a part of the Buckeyes’ 1960 nationwide championship staff. Each have been acknowledged on the court docket pregame.
FRESHMAN LEARNING CURVE
After scoring no less than 10 factors within the first six of seven video games, Sensbaugh returned to double figures in opposition to the Pink Flash. He shot 2-of-6 for a season-low 4 factors Wednesday at No. 17 Duke.
Sensabaugh missed a wide-open dunk try in opposition to St. Francis, however stayed centered to shoot 40% and make all 4 free throws.
“Enjoying by means of these errors is crucial,” Holtmann stated. “I don’t need it to have an effect on the opposite finish and his focus and a focus to element on the opposite finish, and I believe he had some good moments at present with that”
GIVING GOOD EFFORT
The Buckeyes allowed an opponent to shoot underneath 45.5% for the primary time in three video games. They held a 47-25 edge on the glass, together with 17 offensive rebounds, and compelled 11 turnovers.
“We caught to our ideas and actually dominated effort performs,” Holden stated.
OKPARA ON THE GLASS
Okpara, 6-foot-11 and two inches taller than another Ohio State participant, posted the primary double-double of his profession as he introduced down a game-high 12 rebounds in 16 minutes.
“Protection, that’s why I verify in,” Okpara stated. “For me, scoring proper now’s a bonus. I love to do the little stuff, like set screens, diving on the ground, and primarily simply protection.”
BIG PICTURE
St. Francis: The Pink Flash grabbed 5 offensive rebounds and cashed in for under 4 second-chance factors. It marked their fourth of 5 video games through which St. Francis introduced in six or fewer offensive boards.
Ohio State: Sensabaugh and Thornton had a trio of 3-pointers. The Buckeyes made 13 3-pointers, their most this season, after going a season-low 23.1% at Duke.
“A part of the Duke scenario was simply how they have been enjoying,” Holtmann stated. “They have been actually prolonged defensively so that they don’t allow you to shoot numerous 3’s, so a few of that was extra byproduct of how groups play defensively versus us. We’re at all times going to shoot 3′s.”
UP NEXT
St. Francis: Hosts Saint Vincent on Thursday.
Ohio State: Hosts Rutgers on Thursday.
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