COLUMBUS (AP) — Jae’Sean Tate scored 21 points and two other Buckeyes turned in double-doubles as Ohio State opened its season with a 76-54 victory over Mount St. Mary’s on Sunday that gave coach Thad Matta his 300th win at the school.
Matta is in his 12th year at Ohio State, where he is the all-time wins leader. He has 402 career wins including one season at Butler and three at Xavier.
Marc Loving had 15 points and 11 rebounds and Keita Bates-Diop 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Buckeyes who hit half of their 56 shots, including 6 of 15 from 3-point range. Jaquan Lyle added 12 points and Daniel Giddens 11.
Leading 20-13, the Buckeyes, who never trailed, scored 17 straight points, 11 by Tate, with 4:45 left in the first half to build their biggest lead of 24 points.