CHICAGO — Deshaun Thomas scored 17 points as Ohio State earned its third Big Ten tournament championship in four years with a 50-43 victory over Wisconsin on Sunday at the United Center. The No. 10 Buckeyes (26-7) also earned an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament, although there never a doubt that either team would go. Traevon Jackson paced the No. 22 Badgers (23-11) with 10 points. With the game deadlocked at 41-41 — the sixth second-half tie — Ohio State asserted control as guard Aaron Craft scored on a coast-to-coast fast-break layup and LaQuinton Ross added a pair of driving layups. Ross’ second basket, with 2:27 left in regulation, gave the Buckeyes a 47-41 lead, their biggest margin since early in the first half. Thomas, meanwhile was 3-for-4 on free throws in the final 44 seconds to maintain the Ohio State margin. The Buckeyes jumped to an early first-half lead as Craft and Sam Thompson had two buckets apiece to open a 13-6 advantage before eight minutes had elapsed. Wisconsin was just 3-for-10 (30-percent) in the…
Continue Reading: Ohio State claims Big Ten tournament title (The SportsXchange)
