OSU balanced in blowout Five Bucks score in double figures as Ohio State routs Bowling Green
COLUMBUS — Five players scored in double figures for No. 19 Ohio State, which routed Bowling Green 89-58 on Monday night.
After escaping with closerthan-expected wins in their first two games, the Buckeyes started pouring it on early and never allowed the Mid-american Conference squad to get close.
“I felt like we did a really good job pressuring the ball tonight, making them feel
uncomfortable,” Ohio State forward Justin Ahrens said.
E.J. Liddell and Meechie Johnson each scored 13 points. Zed Key had 12 points and nine rebounds, and Eugene Brown III had a career-high 12.
Chandler Turner led the Falcons with 12 points, and
Samari Curtis and Joe Reese each had 11 points.
Ohio State (3-0) opened with a 24-4 run and took a 41-18 lead into halftime.
The Buckeyes shot 51% from the floor, hitting 12 of 32 attempts from beyond the
arc. Their bench contributed 39 points, spearheaded by Johnson.
The Falcons (1-2) never found a rhythm, shooting a 25.8% in the first half before
finishing at 39%. Ohio State led by as much as 42 in the second half.
“I don’t necessarily think it was their defense as much as us missing shots,” Falcons
coach Michael Huger said. “I think that we had great looks, we just missed. Those go in, it’s a different game.”
Even Approach
Liddell carried the Buckeyes throughout the first two games, averaging 27 points and setting a career
high with 29 against Niagara.
But on Monday, 10 players scored for Ohio State, the most through the three games.
“I think our guys really shared the ball,” Ohio State coach Chris Holtmann said. “Our guys did a really good
job of making a lot of onemores. An outstanding offensive ball distribution, an
outstanding assists-turnover game.”
The Buckeyes forced a season-high 18 turnovers and scored 20 points off of them. Ohio State had 27 assists.
“I feel like we took a step forward just in our chemistry as a whole,” Ahrens said.
Sueing Sielined
Lingering groin issues forced Ohio State forward Justice Sueing to miss Monday’s game, and it appears he’ll be out awhile.
Holtmann said the Buckeyes sent Sueing to a specialist in Cleveland, and he doesn’t know if the injury will end Sueing’s season.
Sueing averaged six points in the first two games.
“I think it’s significant,” Holtmann said.