Ohio State talked about getting a fast start to ensure there wouldn't be a letdown following a loss to No. 2 UCLA. A nice dose of a hapless Youngstown State squad turned that into a reality.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | F |
|---|---|---|---|
| OHIO STATE | 42 | 35 | 77 |
| YOUNGSTOWN STATE | 14 | 26 | 40 |
Back-to-back jumpers by Kam Williams and a 3-pointer by Marc Loving in the first 4:05 helped the Buckeyes score 12 of the first 13 points against the Penguins on their way to an easy 77-40 victory Tuesday night at Value City Arena.
Three Buckeyes—Jae'Sean Tate, Kam Williams and Keita Bates-Diop—scored 15 points to lead Thad Matta's team. Ohio State put nine players in the scoring column. Trevor Thompson finished with 11 points and 15 rebounds off the bench in place of Micah Potter, who injured his ankle on the opening tipoff. It is Thompson's third double-double in the last five games.
On the heels of a stingy defensive performance and more athleticism, length, size and speed at every position, the Buckeyes led 42-14 at halftime. Youngstown State did not reach double digits until Matt Donlan made a 3-pointer with 6:45 to play in the first half to make it 29-10.
| OHIO STATE | STAT | YOUNGSTOWN STATE |
|---|---|---|
| 77 | POINTS | 40 |
| 31–62 (50%) | FGM-FGA (PCT.) | 13–62 (21%) |
| 5–15 (33%) | 3PM-3PA (PCT.) | 2–21 (10%) |
| 10–17 (59%) | FTM-FTA (PCT.) | 12–17 (71%) |
| 16 | TURNOVERS | 15 |
| 54 | TOTAL REBOUNDS | 35 |
| 12 | OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 11 |
| 42 | DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS | 24 |
| 27 | BENCH POINTS | 16 |
| 9 | BLOCKS | 3 |
| 6 | STEALS | 4 |
| 19 | ASSISTS | 10 |
The Penguins came into Tuesday night's game averaging only 12 turnovers per game, the best mark in that category in the Horizon League. They nearly eclipsed that mark in the first half, giving the ball away 11 times in the game's opening 20 minutes. Youngstown State shot just 14.8 percent from the field before intermission.
Ohio State's lead ballooned to as many as 36 points early in the second half. Youngstown State never got closer than 26 down the stretch.
Donlan was the lone Penguin in double figures on Tuesday with 10 points.
Ohio State is next in action on Thursday night against UNC-Asheville. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. at the Schottenstein Center.
