OSU, Sullinger bounce Wright State in opener

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

Preseason All-American Jared Sullinger scored 19 points to go with nine rebounds in leading No. 3 Ohio State to a 73-42 win over Wright State on Friday night in the Global Sports Shootout.

William Buford added 13 points for the Buckeyes. Point guard Aaron Craft had 10 points and just one turnover in 28 minutes in the opener for both teams.

A.J. Pacher had 13 points and Reggie Arcenaux 11 for Wright State, which was 19-14 a year ago, but doesn’t have a player on the roster with more than a year of experience with the Raiders.

Bigger, quicker Ohio State was 26 of 38 at the free throw line compared to Wright State’s 10 of 15.

The Buckeyes must replace three starters from last year’s Big Ten regular-season and tournament champion (34-3) that won its first 24 games and was ranked No. 1 before losing 62-60 in the NCAA regional semifinal to Kentucky. This year’s roster includes only one senior (Buford), one junior, and 10 sophomores and freshmen.

Up by 14 at the break, the Buckeyes pulled away on field goals by Buford, Deshaun Thomas and Sullinger to push the lead to 40-20. Buford, the Buckeyes’ second leading scorer a year ago, added two more baskets in the 10-0 spurt.

The lead hovered around 30 for most of the second half as both teams emptied their benches.

The Buckeyes led 34-20 at the half, with Sullinger picking up nine of his 13 points at the line.

The officials were busier than either team, calling 21 fouls and whistling 23 turnovers in the opening 20 minutes. The teams combined for just 15 field goals.

Ohio State never trailed from the moment Craft hit a 3-pointer from the right corner to open the scoring. Ahead just 19-14 after the Raiders’ John Balwigaire hit a 3-pointer at the 8:26 mark, the Buckeyes went on a 13-3 run over the next six minutes with Sullinger scoring six points.