Turner’s return sparks Ohio St.

COLUMBUS (AP) — Jon Diebler scored 21 points and Evan Turner returned early from an injury to give Ohio State a boost in a 79-54 victory over Indiana on Wednesday night.

Turner played his first game since breaking two bones in his lower back while dunking during the Buckeyes’ Dec. 5 victory over Eastern Michigan. The original prognosis was that he would be out eight weeks, but he was back in 41‚Ñ2 weeks. He had eight points, five assists and five rebounds in 19 minutes for the Buckeyes (11-4, 1-2 Big Ten), who had lost their first two Big Ten games on the road without Turner.

William Buford added 16 points for Ohio State.

Verdell Jones III had 22 points and Christian Watford 11 for the Hoosiers (7-7, 1-1), playing their first game on an opposing team’s home court this season.

Turner had established himself as one of the best all-around players in the nation before he was injured.

Playing point guard for the first time in his career, the 6-foot-7 junior was leading the Buckeyes in scoring (18.5 points), rebounding (11.4) and assists (six). He was met with a standing ovation when he was announced as a starter before the game. Turner appeared to be a little tentative on one-on-one moves early in the game.

Indiana was coming off its biggest win of the season, a 71-65 upset of Michigan on Sunday. That was also the Hoosiers’ first game without their leading scorer, freshman Maurice Creek, who sustained a knee injury in the Dec. 28 game against Bryant and had season-ending surgery the next day.

Ahead by 18 at the break, Ohio State slowly pulled away in the second half to double the score at 58-29. Indiana never threatened again.

The Hoosiers had 24 turnovers and shot just 34 percent from the field.

A lack of offense stymied the Hoosiers. They had only three field goals in the opening 151‚Ñ2 minutes and trailed 31-8 after the Buckeyes went on a 26-4 run. Turner had a dunk and a free throw early for Ohio State, along with an assist and two rebounds, but also picked up two fouls.

Ohio State’s bench provided a big lift. With David Lighty and Turner both on the bench due to foul trouble, the Buckeyes reeled off eight points in a row at one point.

P.J. Hill had nine points and three assists by halftime for the Buckeyes, while Jeremie Simmons, also a backup guard, had six points and assist.