COLUMBUS, Ohio – LaQuinton Ross’s 20 points led No. 5 Ohio State to an early lead and a 76-60 victory over Maryland on Wednesday night in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
Ross got hot early. He scored 17 of his 20 points in the first half, hitting his first four 3-pointers.
“LaQuinton slowed things down in his mind and that allows him to do a lot more offensively. Just the look in his face and the fact he wants to be coached is what makes a difference,” head coach Thad Matta said.
Sam Thompson added 14 points, including four rim-rattling dunks, and Lenzelle Smith Jr. had 12. Aaron Craft created havoc on defense and chipped in with 10 points as the Buckeyes (7-0) controlled the game at both ends.
Ex-Xavier guard Dez Wells had 19 points, former Michigan swingman Evan Smotrycz scored 15 and Charles Mitchell added 12 points and 11 rebounds for Maryland (5-3), which had won four in a row after losing two of its first three.
This is Maryland’s last ACC/Big Ten Challenge, at least as an ACC team. Next year, the Terrapins join the Buckeyes in the new 14-team Big Ten.