BASKETBALL Ohio State rebounds with Dartmouth victory

The Buckeyes warmed up for their Big Ten opener in 10 days.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Dartmouth coach Dave Faucher looked back at his team's 71-58 loss to Ohio State on Sunday and shrugged his shoulders.
He couldn't understand why the Buckeyes' fans are so worried about their team.
"They didn't look bad to me," he said. Then, as he left the postgame interview room, he added, "You can't believe all you read."
Ohio State (7-4) continues to make mini-strides from a disastrous start as it prepares for the start of the Big Ten season in just 10 days.
"We're starting to get things rolling here," said walk-on turned starting shooting guard Nick Dials, who hit three 3-pointers for nine points.
Shuffled lineup again
Still, coach Jim O'Brien continues to be troubled by the Buckeyes spotty effort and chemistry. He again shuffled his lineup, starting three former walk-ons and getting substantial contributions from several players who barely played earlier in the season.
The rotating lineup is apparently making a point with the players.
"His message is loud and clear: play hard or watch," swingman J.J. Sullinger said.
Tony Stockman had 15 points, Sullinger 10 and Ivan Harris nine -- all off the bench. Ten players scored and nine saw at least 10 minutes of action.
Steve Callahan scored 13 points and Michael Lang had 12 for the Big Green (2-7).
Dartmouth hung around with the Buckeyes until midway through the second half. The Big Green were tied at 24 with 3:11 left in the first half and trailed just 30-29 at the break.
Buckeyes pull away
Callahan hit a 3-pointer with 16:39 remaining to pull Dartmouth to within 37-34, but then the Buckeyes sprinted away.
Stockman hit a 3-pointer before Dials popped in another. After the Big Green missed their second shot in a row, Harris hit a rebound follow to make it 45-34.
The Buckeyes later went on a 9-0 run to build the lead to 57-38.
"We played OK for 34 minutes," Faucher said. "It was that run that was the difference in the game."
The Big Green never got closer than 12 points again.
"The last two games we've played much harder than we did at the start of the season," said Dials.
One of the big reasons has been the rise of Dials, who played just nine minutes in Ohio State's first eight games but has started the past two wins.
"You have to encourage the guys who aren't playing to not despair," O'Brien said. "A coach has to keep telling them to be ready. Nick has stayed ready, and when he's gotten his chance he's played well. He's made the most of his opportunity. Not everybody does."
Long losing streak
The Big Green, who hit 9 of 17 3-pointers, fell to 6-21 against Big Ten teams -- the last win coming almost 55 years ago. Their only win against Ohio State in five starts came in the national semifinals in 1944.
Sullinger said the Buckeyes are a work in progress.
"We had a few games early in the season that we let slip away," he said. "All the games are important from here on out. Our goal is to make it to the NCAA tournament. We're still improving. Through practice we'll get better. We're still trying to make things work."