Ohio St. keeps record perfect on road

Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich.

Brady Hoke arrived at his courtside seat, drawing an immediate cheer from the crowd. Then the new Michigan football coach settled in to watch the Wolverines play their fiercest rivals in basketball.

Ohio State took it all in stride.

William Buford scored 19 points and the No. 2 Buckeyes went on a 12-0 run in the second half before holding on to beat Michigan 68-64 on Wednesday night.

The Wolverines trailed by 12 in the second half before a desperate rally fell short in front of a home crowd that was fired up from the moment Hoke walked in shortly after the opening tip.

“It’s Ohio State and Michigan,” Buckeyes coach Thad Matta said. “You’ve got two really good programs going head to head in a big-time college environment.”

Hoke was introduced earlier in the day as the new leader of the Michigan football program, and he and athletic director Dave Brandon arrived at the basketball game right after it started. Fans began chanting the new coach’s name, but by the end, their focus was on the court.

The Wolverines (11-6, 1-3 Big Ten) rallied from a 53-41 deficit, pulling within 64-62 when Zack Novak made two free throws with 22.3 seconds left. Michigan then fouled Buford, who made a pair of free throws with 18.6 seconds to play.

Darius Morris scored on a drive with 12.4 seconds to go, but Aaron Craft made two more free throws with 9.4 seconds remaining and Tim Hardaway Jr. missed a 3-pointer at the other end.

David Lighty and Jared Sullinger scored 12 points each for the Buckeyes (17-0, 4-0), who equaled their best start since 1961-62.

“It’s a real honor,” Buford said. “We can do some big things this year. If we keep it up, we’re going to go far.”

Morris scored 18 points and Novak added 16 for Michigan. Evan Smotrycz scored 14 points for the Wolverines, including a 3-pointer that tied it at 41 not long after halftime.

The Buckeyes scored the next 12 points. Jon Diebler made a 3-pointer to put Ohio State up by seven and Sullinger dunked off a quick spin move. A 3-pointer by Craft made it 53-41.

“We’re close, but to get over the hump, you’ve got to be better than the breaks, you’ve got to be better than the other team,” Michigan coach John Beilein said. “You’ve got to stay so focused. You’ve got to be better than any calls that don’t go your way.”

Ohio State’s last 11 points — over the last 8:36 —came on free throws.