Ohio State hands Indiana 11th loss in row to tie mark

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) — Ohio State spent the first half trying to figure out how to contend with Indiana’s improving shooters.

Finally, the Buckeyes decided to just keep making baskets themselves.

Turns out, it was a good trade.

The Buckeyes shot 76.2 percent in the second half and had four players finish with 17 or more points in a 93-81 victory Saturday, handing the Hoosiers a school record-tying 11th straight loss.

“Who shot that? We did? That’s amazing right there,” said Evan Turner, who had 29 points and 10 rebounds. “We were just competing and we made shots. We were focused on winning the game, and that’s what we did.”

The offensive numbers were staggering.

Three times, Indiana fouled Ohio State (15-5, 5-4) on 3-pointers in the second half. Twice the Buckeyes turned them into momentum-changing four-point plays. Jon Diebler, who spent most of the game being hounded by a box-and-one defense, still knocked down five 3s and finished with 21 points. William Buford had 24 and Jeremie Simmons finished with 17 points and eight assists. That quartet combined to make 29-of-42 field goals.

Indiana’s numbers — the good and bad — were also amazing.

Freshman Matt Roth scored a season-high 29 points, connecting on 9-of-11 3s to tie Roderick Wilmont’s single-game school record set Feb. 28, 2007 against Northwestern. It was the most 3-pointers ever by a Big Ten freshman.

“My teammates did a great job, and the offenses we instilled were really good against their zone,” Roth said. “I think your confidence grows and the confidence in your team grows.”

Devan Dumes made three 3s and finished with 13 points, while Nick Williams added 11 points. It was Indiana’s highest point total since a victory over Chaminade on Nov. 26, and the Hoosiers (5-15, 0-8) were 15-of-28 from 3-point range.

But Indiana (5-15, 0-8) also allowed a season-high point total, and its 11 straight losses ties the school record set in 1943-44. And, clearly, this one hurt.

Coach Tom Crean spent more than 45 minutes talking to his team before taking questions from reporters and showed more emotion on the sidelines — and more discretion in choosing his postgame words — than he has all season. Ohio State shot 12 more free throws than Indiana in the second half and several times on the court, Crean showed his frustration.

Despite all that, Indiana’s bigger problems were playing defense and taking care of the basketball.

“We moved the ball and played hard, but we obviously didn’t do enough defensively in the second half,” Crean said. “I told them we’re not going to beat a team when they shoot like that.”