WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — DeShaun Thomas was just too much, and Purdue just missed too many shots.
Thomas scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead No. 15 Ohio State to a 74-64 win over the Boilermakers on Tuesday night.
The Buckeyes jumped in front by 10 points at halftime behind 14 points from Thomas, and they never let the Boilermakers take control.
“It’s my ability to score and my size,” said Thomas, a 6-foot-7 junior. “It’s kind of hard to guard a guy like me who is very versatile and who can be a mismatch nightmare.”
Aaron Craft had 15 points, and Evan Ravenel added 13 points for the Buckeyes (12-3, 2-1 Big Ten). Ohio State has won three of its past four games.
Terone Johnson led the Boilermakers with 18 points, and A.J. Hammons had 13 points and eight rebounds. Purdue has lost two straight.
The Buckeyes built a solid lead in the first half and never let up. Even when the Boilermakers hit a shot to regain some momentum, Ohio State answered.
“I thought we had more of a composure about us,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. “And we had to have it because of the environment and the crowd, and we handled that well.”
Hammons completed a three-point play early in the second half to make it 50-43, but Thomas responded with a 3-pointer. On the next possession, Purdue’s Anthony Johnson scored to cut the deficit again, but Craft answered to put the lead back to 55-45.
Anthony Johnson hit another shot, and Ravenel answered with a basket. Rapheal Davis hit a 3-pointer to get the Boilermakers within 57-50 midway through the second half, and later Hammons scored to make it 59-52. But Amir Williams dunked and Craft converted a three-point play to give the Buckeyes a 64-52 lead with 8:44 left to play.
The Boilermakers shot 38.8 percent from the field (26-for-67) and were outrebounded 38-32.
Continue Reading: Thomas, Buckeyes prove too much for Boilermakers (The SportsXchange)
