Ohio State Loses to Minnesota Despite Evan Turner's Performance

Drew GatewoodJan 9, 2010

Ohio State once again struggled in another loss to a conference opponent. Minnesota (12-4) pull away in the second half on it’s way to a 73-62 win over Ohio State.

The Buckeyes looked competitive in the first half as they held a 33-32 lead at halftime. The second half was a disaster however, and the Gophers out scored them 41-29.

Evan Turner got back in the groove with 19 points and eight rebounds as he lead the team in both categories. David Lighty matched Turner with 15 points but fouled out late in the second half. William Buford chipped in 17 points and was the only other Buckeye in double figures.

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Jon Diebler went 1-8 from three-point range and finished with seven points. Dallas Lauderdale had two points and went 3-5 from the charity stripe. PJ Hill and Jeremie Simmons both went scoreless, as the rest of the Buckeye team struggled outside of Turner, Lighty, and Buford.

The Buckeyes shot 45 percent from the field and 27 percent from beyond the arc. Struggling like this on offense on the road in the Big Ten will get you beat every night. Ohio State proved that to be true it stumbled through the second half.

Blake Hoffarber’s career high 27 points led Minnesota. The Gophers shot 45 percent from the field and 47 percent from behind the three. Damien Johnson added 10 points and seven rebounds, while Al Nolen had 11 points and Lawrence Westbrook put in 15 points.

Ohio State (11-5) is in the midst of a gauntlet schedule. The Buckeyes will take on Purdue (14-1) in their next game followed by Wisconsin (13-3), Northwestern (13-3), and West Virginia (13-1).

The Buckeyes, even with Evan Turner, will be lucky to make a NCAA Tournament appearance this year. More than likely they will be invited to the NIT. The loss of Turner for those couple of weeks has put Ohio State in to deep of a hold for them to climb out of with the remaining schedule left. The Buckeyes will need wins over a Purdue or Michigan State, along with win against the Northwester’s and Illinois of the conference.