Jon Diebler hit nine 3-pointers and finished with 29 points as No. 2 Ohio State cruised past Florida Gulf Coast, 83-55, on Wednesday.
William Buford added 17 points and six rebounds for the Buckeyes, who forced 23 turnovers.
Diebler hit 5-of-7 from beyond the arc in the first half and went into the break with 15 points as Ohio State (9-0) streaked out to a 42-16 lead. The Buckeyes forced 14 turnovers and held the Eagles to 6-of-19 shooting in the first 20 minutes. Ohio State wasn’t much better from the field but took twice as many shots, thanks in part to 11 offensive rebounds.
Florida Gulf Coast (2-5) managed to shoot better in the second half but the damage had already been done.
The Buckeyes get South Carolina this weekend and have three home games next week before beginning Big Ten play at Indiana on December 31. The one potential threat to a perfect pre-conference slate looks like a December 23 matchup with giant-killer Oakland, which took Michigan State down to the wire and knocked off No. 7 Tennessee on Tuesday.
Florida Gulf Coast | Ohio St. | |
Chase Fieler 12 | Scoring | Jon Diebler 29 |
Marlon Rivera 7 | Assists | Aaron Craft 7 |
Chase Fieler 5 | Rebounds | Dallas Lauderdale 8 |
Anthony Banks 4 | Free Throws Made | David Lighty 3 |
Chase Fieler 3 | Steals | David Lighty 3 |
Kevin Cantinol 1 | Blocks | Dallas Lauderdale 2 |
Team | Points | FG% | 3PM-3PA | FTM-FTA | Assists | Rebounds | Blocks | Steals | Turnovers |
Florida Gulf Coast | 55 | 43.5 | 8-21 | 7-13 | 15 | 24 | 1 | 5 | |
Ohio St. | 83 | 48.5 | 13-28 | 6-9 | 23 | 35 | 4 | 11 |