Columbus, OH – Statement made.
Jared Sullinger owned the paint with 21 points and William Buford led a trio of guards that dominated the perimeter with 20 points, five rebounds and four assists, as second-ranked Ohio State buried third-ranked Duke, 85-63, in a game as lopsided as the score indicates.
Billed as the marquee event of the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, and a battle of Ohio State's Sullinger against Duke's guards, it was Ohio State's perimeter players that set the tone. Deshaun Thomas scored 18 points and Aaron Craft added 17 points, eight assists and five rebounds for Ohio State (7-0), which never trailed in a thorough waxing of a team fresh off a Maui Invitational title.
Austin Rivers scored 22 points and Mason Plumlee added 16 points and eight boards, but the duo received little help, making 15 of the team's 26 field goals. Duke (7-1), known for its long-range shooting, made just 3-of-15 in that department.
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