The Buckeyes had won 22 straight games at home against non-conference opponents and St Francis has not defeated a ranked team since 1959.  Both of those streaks continued as Ohio State pulled away in the final 10 minutes partly due to the strength of a game total thirteen 3-point field goals for a 96-59 win in Columbus.  The win improves OSU record to 6-2, while the Red Flash falls to 2-7 on the season. Brice Sensabaugh led the scoring for Ohio State with 15 points, although they had a total of 6 players in double figures.  Felix Okpara came of the bench to lead all players with 12 rebounds.  Josh Cohen lead the St Francis scoring with 18 points, and rebounding with 10.

The Buckeyes opened the game taking the tip-off right to the rack as Zed Key gave the fans a monster slam to open the scoring.  This gave OSU the lead which they never relinquished the entire game. They were able to maintain control as the game was starting to take shape and St Francis did not get their first points until Josh Cohen broke the seal on the lid with a 12 foot jump shoot at the 17:56 mark.  Isaac Likekele also got in the scoring column with a couple of easy layups, and Justice Sueing sank the game’s first 3-pointer just prior to the first media time out to give the Buckeyes a 13-4 lead. OSU was on a 7-0 run and it looked like them might put this one away very early.  Cam Gregory came out of the time-out and hit a 3 to pull the Red Flash with 6, but Brice Sensabaugh quickly answered with one of his own to make the score 16-7 in favor of the Bucks.

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Owen Spencer, Bowen Hardman and Colby Baumann enter the game at about the 2:00 mark as Coach Holtmann was able to clear his bench. For a while it looked like Ohio State would hit the century mark, but the had to settle for the 96-59 victory.  The Buckeyes finished the game 13-23 from behind the arc and 17 offensive boards.  St Francis moved to 0-4 on the road.

There was a nice touch today as Red Flash player Brendan Scanlon entered the game with a minute to go.  He was recognized prior to tip-off as his grandfather Gary Milliken was on the OSU 1960 championship basketball team and was in attendance at the game.  Shame they could not have played this one in St John Arena.

The Buckeyes will next hit the hardwood in a home game Thursday December 8^th, at 7:00pm, hosting Rutgers to open up the conference slate. You can watch the game on ESPN2.  Go Bucks!

– Gregg Watson