Ohio State men rally to edge Purdue

Published: Monday, 3/2/2015 – Updated: 3 hours ago D’Angelo Russell scored 28 points, including a key basket with 1:01 left BY DAVID BRIGGSBLADE SPORTS WRITER COLUMBUS — There is little sweet about home for the Ohio State basketball team. Just don’t tell these Buckeyes. Before a sedate Sunday night crowd, D’Angelo Russell and Ohio State provided their own energy in rallying from a 12-point deficit for a thrilling 65-61 win over Purdue at the Schottenstein Center. Russell’s driving score with 1:01 remaining — the last two and biggest of his game-high 28 points — nudged the Buckeyes (21-8, 10-6 Big Ten) ahead 60-59 while the hosts all but clinched their biggest comeback victory of the season moments later. Amir Williams rejected Purdue point guard Jon Octeus at the basket before Shannon Scott followed with three free throws in the final 24 seconds. The victory continued the Buckeyes’ grip on March — they improved to 13-0 at home in this month of madness under coach Thad Matta — and their hard-to-explain supremacy at a the sterile, pro-style arena few would associate with a home-court advantage. With several sections of the upper deck more than half empty, a crowd of 15,978 watched Ohio State move to 18-1 at the Schott. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak. “This is big,” said Sam Thompson, who added 14 points. “This is the type of win we have to get, especially in the month of March. It’s too late to be taking step backwards. It’s our time to hit our stride and put together a run. This is just one step in the right direction.” For the longest time, it appeared one more step in the wrong direction. The Buckeyes had eight turnovers to their one assist in the first half and watched Purdue race to a 35-23 lead that remained steady through the early part of the second half. But down 42-31 with 13:56 remaining, the Buckeyes got serious. …

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