William Buford scored a game-high 21 points and fueled a key second-half surge as No. 3 Ohio State held off No. 8 Florida for an 81-74 home victory.

After trailing by as many as eight in the early going, the Buckeyes (2-0) scored the first five points of the second half to build a 40-32 cushion. Buford later scored seven during a 9-2 spurt that extended Ohio State's lead to 62-46 with 7:55 to go.

The Gators (1-1) got as close as five in the final minute when Kenny Boynton hit two 3-pointers just eight seconds apart, but the Buckeyes — who made 27 of 34 free throws — were able to close it out at the line.

Florida was 11-for-22 from 3-point range and outrebounded the Buckeyes 36-27, but Ohio State limited its mistakes, turning the ball over just seven times.

Jared Sullinger finished with 16 points for Ohio State, while Deshaun Thomas added 15. Brad Beal paced four Florida players in double figures with 17 points.