Ohio State Basketball: After slow start Buckeyes roll to big win

Once Ohio State got on a roll it was game over.

The Buckeyes appeared to be sleepwalking against the Terrapins at the beginning of last night’s game. After falling behind 20-13, Chris Holtmann apparently had seen enough. Whatever he said during the timeout worked as Ohio State went on a roll and defeated Maryland 91-69.

Coming out of the break, the Buckeyes scored the next 13 points and 24 of the next 28. They took a 44-32 lead into halftime and it was more of the same after the break.

The turnaround was primarily a result of the increase in intensity on the defensive end. Maryland had difficulty getting clean looks at the basket, and sometimes couldn’t get a shot off. The turnovers led to easy baskets for Ohio State.

During the 13-0 run in the first half, guard Andrew Dakich score eight of the points including two baskets from beyond the arc. He finished the game with 11 points, by far his best scoring output of the season.

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But it wasn’t surprising he helped spur the run, that’s what he has been doing lately. He was a key contributor when Ohio State went on a 12-0 run to end the first half against Michigan State, and hit a bomb at the buzzer. In the second half he was on the floor during an 11-0 run.

Dakich is primarily known for distributing the basketball, but if he continues to score like he did last night, that will change the dynamic of the offense. And it will almost certainly guarantee him more playing time.

As usual, Keita Bates-Diop led Ohio State on scoring (26) and rebounds (8). Man that guy is on a roll. Other Buckeyes scoring in double figures were C.J. Jackson (14) and Jae’Sean Tate (13).

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It was a great win for Ohio State as every player on the floor contributed in some way. The next game will be at Rutgers on Sunday at 7:00 PM and is scheduled to be televised on the Big Ten Network.