Victor Oladipo’s career high 26 points propels Indiana past Ohio State

Columbus, OH, United States (4E Sports) – Victor Oladipo scored a career-high 26 points, Cody Zeller added 24 and Christian Watford 20 to lead No. 1 Hoosiers (21-3, 9-3 Big Ten) over No. 10 Ohio State 81-68 Sunday.

Ohio State (17-6, 7-4) used a 12-3 run over a span of almost 5 minutes to take an early 16-14 lead and shot 53 percent from the field overall.

Indiana asserted itself with Oladipo scoring in transition and on 15-foot jumpers, Zeller slashing past any of the three centers who took turns guarding him and Watford hitting timely shots.

Ahead 24-23 after Lenzelle Smith Jr.’s second straight running jumper in the lane, the Hoosiers pulled away. Each time the Buckeyes would come up with a basket or defensive stop, Indiana would counter.

Watford’s 3 with 9:24 left made it 62-46. After Ross got a bucket in traffic, Watford flipped in another 3 for a 67-54 lead.

Ohio State got as close as eight points in the final minute but never really threatened.

Indiana, 3-0 against Top-10 teams this year, stayed in lock step with the leaders in the Big Ten.

Deshaun Thomas had 26 points for Ohio State. Aaron Craft added 16 and LaQuinton Ross 11.

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