By ADAM JARDY
Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell, left, posts up against Indiana’s Yogi Ferrell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Yogi Ferrell, D’Angelo Russell
Indiana’s Yogi Ferrell, right, drives to the basket against Ohio State’s D’Angelo Russell during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Robert Johnson, Anthony Lee
Indiana’s Robert Johnson, right, drives past Ohio State’s Anthony Lee during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Emmitt Holt, Marc Loving
Indiana’s Emmitt Holt, left, shoots over Ohio State’s Marc Loving during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
..
Prev
1 of 4
Next
.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — D’Angelo Russell scored 22 points and added 10 assists, Jae’Sean Tate added a career-high 20 points, and Ohio State defeated No. 23 Indiana 82-70 Sunday in Value City Arena.
The Buckeyes (16-5, 5-3 Big Ten) won consecutive games for the first time since wins against in-state foes Miami and Wright State on Dec. 22 and 27, respectively. Indiana (15-5, 5-2) had its four-game winning streak snapped despite 26 points from junior guard Kevin “Yogi” Ferrell.
For the second straight game, Ohio State coach Thad Matta replaced senior center Amir Williams with Anthony Lee and sophomore forward Marc Loving with Tate in his starting lineup. Just like in their earlier meeting this season, the Buckeyes pressured the Hoosiers into 15 turnovers. Indiana entered the game averaging 11.1 turnovers per game – the second-lowest mark in the Big Ten – while Ohio State’s average of 16.6 forced turnovers a game was second-best.
Ohio State turned those 15 turnovers into 26 points in their most-prolific conference game this season. Troy Williams has five turnovers as each Indiana starter committed at least one.
After following their norm of falling behind early, the Buckeyes trailed by eight points less than four minutes into the game before their defensive pressure led to a comeback. An Emmitt Holt free-throw with 11:57 left in the first half put the Hoosiers ahead 19-15, but Ohio State put together a 10-0 run during the next three minutes capped by free-throw from Tate that made it 25-19 with 9:26 remaining.
Indiana broke its drought with a three-pointer from Ferrell at the 6:34 mark, ending a stretch of more than five minutes without a point that saw the Hoosiers miss three shots and turn the ball over five times. Collin Hartman answered Ferrell’s 3-pointer with one of his own to tie the game at 25 on the ensuing possession, but after the teams traded possessions Tate tipped in his own missed shot to put the Buckeyes ahead for good with 4:40 remaining in the half.
The Hoosiers would get no closer than three points the rest of the way. The win was Ohio State’s first against a ranked opponent since a 69-67 win March 9, 2014 against Michigan State, snapping a four-game losing streak.
Russell left the game with 2:42 remaining with what appeared to be a left leg cramp that had bothered him throughout the game.
Ferrell scored 18 of his points in the second half.
The Buckeyes led 38-32 at the half despite going 1 of 9 from 3-point range thanks to 17 points off of 11 Hoosier turnovers.
TIP-INS:
Indiana: The Hoosiers entered the AP top 25 this week for the first time since the conclusion of the 2012-13 season. They beat No. 13 Maryland on Thursday, 89-70, at Assembly Hall and trailed Wisconsin by a half-game atop the Big Ten standings before today’s loss.
Ohio State: Freshman guard D’Angelo Russell entered the game having scored 81 of Ohio State’s 207 points during its last three games, good for 39.1 percent. He had 13 of the Buckeyes’ first 19 points and finished with a team-high 22.
UP NEXT:
Indiana: The Hoosiers will remain on the road and face Purdue on Jan. 28 before returning home to host Rutgers on Jan. 31. Indiana is now 2-1 in road conference games.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes host Maryland on Jan. 29 and follow that up with consecutive road games against Purdue on Feb. 4 and Rutgers on Feb. 8.