Written by BTN.com staffCatch up on all the action on our Big Ten scoreboard and get video, stats and recaps in this post.
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FINAL: LaQuinton Ross scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lift No. 4 Ohio State to a 70-43 win over Northern Kentucky on Saturday at Value City Arena in Columbus.
Ohio State (5-1) held Northern Kentucky (0-5) to 27 percent shooting from the field.
The Buckeyes shot just 38 percent from the field (23-of-60). Ohio State also got double-digit games from Sam Thompson, who scored 10 and Deshaun Thomas, who scored 14.
Jalen Billups contributed 11 points, pulled down nine rebounds, and shot 5-of-8 from the field for the Norse in a losing effort.
Free throws played a key role in the outcome, as the Buckeyes not only went to the line 12 more times than Northern Kentucky, but made the most of their opportunities, shooting 17-of-20. The Norse committed 18 fouls and shot 4-of-8 from the line.
HALFTIME: LaQuinton Ross scored 13 points for No. 4 Ohio State in the first half to carry the Buckeyes to a 36-22 lead over Northern Kentucky.
The Norse went into a funk with the score 22-16, going 3:43 without a point while Ohio State went on a 12-0 run to open up an 18-point lead.
The Buckeyes demonstrated their offensive efficiency by racking up six assists on 10 baskets. Eight Ohio State players have scored.
Eshaunte Jones and Jalen Billups have carried Northern Kentucky, scoring 18 of the team’s 22 total points. Jones has scored nine and Billups has added nine. Northern Kentucky goes into the break with the offensive rebounding advantage, with eight to Ohio State’s seven.
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