Thomas powers Ohio State

Associated Press

UNCASVILLE, Conn.

Deshaun Thomas made a case Sunday that he’s ready to be Ohio State’s next star.

Thomas tied a career high with 31 points and led No. 4 Ohio State to a 77-66 win over Washington and the championship of the Hall of Fame Tip Off tournament.

The 6-foot-7 junior, who also had eight rebounds, had 21 in the first half as the Buckeyes (3-0) built at 10-point lead and cruised through the second half.

“We haven’t played against anyone like him this year,” Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said. “He came out, he was on fire. He couldn’t miss anything.”

Aaron Craft added 18 points for the Buckeyes, who beat Rhode Island on Saturday.

C.J. Wilcox led Washington (2-2) with 18 points and Abdul Gaddy had 15. The Huskies earned the right to play Ohio State with an overtime win Saturday night over Seton Hall.

This is the same tournament that Kentucky won last season in an early test for that young team, which won the national title.

Ohio State led by double digits much of the way and by as many as 17 in the second half. Washington made one run, cutting the lead to 57-50 on a layup by Gaddy midway through the second half.

Thomas, the Buckeyes’ go-to player after the departure of Jared Sullinger to the NBA, scored 11 of his team’s first 13 points. He showed his versatility by hitting a 3-pointer, two jumpers, a layup and a hook shot, and made his first nine shots.

“When I knocked those first couple down it was on tonight,” Thomas said. “I felt pretty good and confident. My teammates found me in the right positions.”

This was his 14th game with 20 or more points at Ohio State.

The 6-foot-7 junior was 3 of 7 from 3-point range, and came into the game having made seven of his 15 3-point shots. He had 25 points and 10 rebounds in the Buckeyes’ win Saturday over Rhode Island.

“Today was a lot of fun,” Craft said. “It’s always a lot of fun when you have a guy that’s feeling really good and can knock down shots from just about anywhere.”

Washington stayed in the game in the first half by shooting 52 percent from the floor, led by Scott Suggs who had eight of his 11 at intermission. But the Huskies were outrebounded 34-28 and had 13 turnovers.