OSU-Wisc: Badgers Devour Buckeyes After Poor Second Half

The Buckeyes hoped to get off on the right foot when conference play opened against Wisconsin, but unfortunately that didn’t happen. Ohio State went into the half down 34-25 but managed to only score 18 second half points, as they fell 65-43 to the Badgers.

Ohio State shot 32 percent from the field and 30 percent from three-point range. Only two players scored in double figures for the Buckeyes: David Lighty and William Buford. Buford had a team high 14 points, and Buford chipped in 10 points.

Jon Diebler led the team with 40 minutes played but only had eight points on a 2-7 shooting performance with four turnovers. Dallas Lauderdale wasn’t much better, having one point, four rebounds, and three fouls.

The Buckeyes didn’t get much help from the bench either, as Jeremie Simmons was the only player to score. Simmons had two points and three fouls in 15 minutes for the Buckeyes.

The Badgers started off strong and finished stronger. Wisconsin shot 46 percent from the field and 47 percent from behind the arc, all while out-rebounding the Buckeyes 31-23.

Trevon Hughes was the game's leading scorer with 16 points and seven rebounds. Jon Leuer added 11 points, and Jordan Taylor pitched in 12 points as the other Badgers in double figures.

Coach Matta put it best in the postgame press conference. “I felt they had their way with us,” Matta stated. It's obvious Ohio State misses the services of its star player, Evan Turner. “I’ve tried to stop thinking about it,” Matta stated when asked about how Turner’s loss is affecting his struggling Buckeye team. His absence has already led to two losses and by the looks of it will lead to several more before his return. Turner is anticipating a return to action sometime in early February.

Ohio State (10-3) will try to right the ship against its arch rival Michigan (6-6) on Sunday at 4:30 P.M. The Buckeyes have hit a soft spot in their schedule for the next two games, as they face Michigan and Indiana before traveling to play a tough Minnesota team.