Ohio State Takes Care Of Rutgers 68-46

Rutgers Corey Sanders dribbling through Ohio State traffic-Marvin Chambers (Photo Credit)

Rac, Piscataway-Rutgers plays its fifth opponent either rank or receiving votes in its initial six league games when it plays Ohio State at the RAC. The game will mark the seventh match-up over 13 contests for the Scarlet Knights against a foe ranked or receiving votes.

As it turned out, the Buckeyes didn’t need to hit a high percentage because the Scarlet Knights couldn’t make shots at all. In the first half, RU shot a dismal 19.4% (6-31) from the floor in the first half, including 1 of 10 beyond the arc.

Ohio State’s defense was stifling, and Rutgers’ shooting was an aberration as the Buckeyes raced to a 68-46 win at the RAC in Piscataway, New Jersey in front of a crowd 7,476.

“I was pleased with the approach of our guys,” said OSU coach Chris Holtmann, who became the first head coach to open his Big Ten career 6-0 since Iowa’s Tom Davis in 1987. “That was critical for us.

“What more can you say about our upperclassmen? When you have great kids and really great players it makes a difference.”

The victory helped Buckeyes remain unbeaten in Big Ten play at 6-0 –a tie with Purdue one-third of the way through the conference schedule. It could also help OSU – which has won 10 of its last 11 games entering the national poll rankings on Monday for the first time in nearly three years.

“We have talked about (being ranked) after beating Michigan State,” Holtmann said. “We have only played one-third of the Big Ten schedule and there is a lot left to be played. But we will talk about the fact that we will have some people who will play us with a different edge. We will see if we can manage that.”

Ohio State led 28-15 at the half lead by Keita Bates-Diop with 10 points and 2 blocks. The Buckeyes then outscored Rutgers 20-3 to start the second half to go up 30 at 48-18 with 13:47 left in regulation.

Junior forward Keita Bates-Diop led OSU (15-4, 6-0) with 20 points, nine rebounds, and five blocked shots.

Kam Williams had 11 points, while Kaleb Wesson scored 10 points and grabbed nine rebounds for OSU.

C.J. Jackson had nine points, six rebounds and six assists for the Buckeyes.

Geo Baker led Rutgers with 14 points, while Corey Sanders chipped in 13 points and five rebounds.

Rutgers played without senior guard Mike Williams, who was on the bench in the second half with an ankle sprain.

The Buckeyes went on an 18-2 run to grab the lead for good. Bates-Diop and Andrew Dakich took over the game for Ohio State and clamped down on the perimeter forcing RU to rushed their shots.

Rutgers’ Eugene Omoruyi hit two free throws for the Knights’ only points in this eight-minute span. RU missed 13 straight baskets from the floor in this span of time.

OSU played a two-man game with Kaleb Wesson and Dakich each found Bates-Diop for three-pointers from the left elbow. Forward Kyle Young had a rebound basket and scored off a C.J. Jackson lob as the Buckeyes went up 26-11 with 2:49 left before the break. Bates-Diop spun then went baseline for a two-handed dunk as OSU led 28-15 at halftime.

The Buckeyes went on a 20-3 run over the first 6-1/2 minutes of the second half to extend the lead to 30 points and complete control of the game.

The Scarlet Knights rallied with 13 straight points to get the lead down to 48-31 after a three by Geo Baker with 10:45 left in the game.

OSU Bates-Diop hit a 17-footer jumper and, after an offensive rebound by teammate Kaleb Wesson, made a layup, was fouled and hit the free throw for a 60-37 lead with 5:55 left.

Rutgers had a problem with OSU athleticism and length during the contest. Even though the Scarlet Knights shot better in the second half 39.3% but couldn’t stop OSU dribble penetration by C.J.Jackson and Kam Williams.

“We didn’t play well at all. We let our offense dictate the way we play on defense and that can’t happen if you are trying to win games.” Rutgers Head Coach Steve Pikiell said.

Also Notable

* Rutgers is now 11-5 at home this season.

* Rutgers joined the Big Ten for the 2014-15 school year. In three-plus seasons, Rutgers is 7-53 in Big Ten regular-season games. That includes a 6-23 record in Big Ten home games.

* Next up Rutgers vs Iowa @ 7 p.m. BTN

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Tags: Ohio State, Rutgers, The Hype Magazine

About the Author

Landon Buford Washington State Graduate Past Interviews include Grammy Award Winner Kenny G, David Banner, WNBA President Lisa Borders, What's Trending's CEO Shira Lazar, Ice Cube, NBC's Chicago PD LaRoyce Hawkins, Family Matters Darius McCrary, En Vogues Maxine Jones, Team USA Track & Field Member Norris Frederick, James Kyson, WNBA Great Lauren Jackson, and more.