COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – LaQuinton Ross scored four of his career-high 23 points in a 10-0 second-half run, leading No. 5 Ohio State past Central Connecticut State 74-56 on Saturday night.
Lenzelle Smith Jr. added 17 points and Amir Williams had 11 for the Buckeyes (8-0), who finally pulled away midway through the second half.
Faronte Drakeford led the Blue Devils (2-6) with 12 points and Matt Mobley added 10. The Blue Devils created problems for Ohio State with their zone defense and pass-and-cut offense that often resulted in layups.
A crowd of 13,640 was as reserved as the Buckeyes most of the game. Maybe it was the lack of students, a mid-level opponent, the frosty weather outside or Ohio State’s impending Big Ten football championship game on Saturday night, but there were long stretches when the crowd was relatively quiet.