IU wins 59-53 after hitting some free throws down the stretch. That was an important win for the Hoosiers to stay a half game behind Purdue in the Big Ten race. The Hoosiers enter a crucial three game home stand as Wisconsin, Michigan State and Purdue will visit the hall in the next three contests.
IU 53, OSU 49 43.7
IU can't seem to score late, but Jon Diebler was just called for travelling -- a crucial mistake for the Buckeyes. IU ball with a four-point lead.
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IU 53, OSU 47 2:14
IU is holding serve on their end and the Buckeyes are trying to claw back. It will be interesting to see how IU guards OSU -- will they try and stop the 3, or will they try and stop the big men in the post?
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Eric Gordon just picked up his fourth foul with 5:45 left in the game.
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IU 46, OSU 42 7:35
If the Hoosiers want to hold onto control of the game, they need to stop Diebler. When he hits 3-pointers, the crowd comes alive.
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IU 44, OSu 37 11:09
IU extends to 11 points, but Diebler and Koufos hit 3-pointers and Gordon is called for a charge. It's OSU ball with a seven-point lead for the Hoosiers.
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IU 38, OSU 29 13:51
The Hoosiers go on a seven-point run and extend their lead to nine, their largest of the night. The Buckeyes were hurt by several stoppages of play which killed their momentum.
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IU 31, OSU 28 18:04
D.J. White scores quickly after the half, but OSU's offense explodes. Koufos scored on a hook shot and then he hit a 3-pointer from the wing. Jamar Butler hit a contested jump shot to bring the Buckeyes to within one bucket.
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D.J. White is having a massive game. At halftime, he already has a double-double (12 pts, 10 rebounds). He's on pace for his second 20-20 game of the year (the first also came in a road game, at Michigan).
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IU 29, OSU 21 HALFTIME
D.J. tips in the ball with two seconds left in the first half to give the Hoosiers their biggest lead of the game, eight points.
A few observations: Eric Gordon's quick start sparked the Hoosiers. Unlike past road games, Gordon scored quickly and frequently. Consequently, IU is in command.
D.J. White is playing well, though he is undersized. A few rebounds here and there, a couple dunks -- White is stacking up well against 7-footer Kosta Koufos. His athleticism really makes the difference.
Jon Diebler can't pull the trigger. Yes, he has two 3-pointers, but he had the opportunity to shoot a few more wide-open shots and just couldn't do it. If the Buckeyes have a chance, they need to have Diebler and others step up from behind the arc.
The crowd just isn't into it. There are a lot of empty seats in the student section and out, which is surprising for a team that is 12-1 at home, playing against its second-highest ranked opponent so far.
What did you see from the first half? Let us know in the comments below.
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IU 23, OSU 29 3:16
The Hoosiers stretched the lead to seven after a nifty spin move and layup from Crawford, but Diebler answered with his second 3 of the game to cut the margin to four.
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IU 19, OSU 14 7:05
Ohio State takes a quick lead, but a bucket by D.J., a 3 by Gordon and a layin by Ellis turns the 2-point deficit into a 5-point advantage.
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IU 12, OSU 12 10:14
OSU ties it up with a quick 3-pointer, and the Hoosiers have gotten sloppy. A couple of quick turnovers and the Buckeyes have a chance to take the lead.
In response to a comment from Jon, there is a large portion of the student section empty.
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IU 12, OSU 9 11:54
The Buckeyes sub in sharpshooter Jon Diebler, but IU is able to hold onto a slim lead. IU's passing is sharp, but they keep flirting with a 10-second backcourt violation.
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Hoosiers out to a quick 8-2 lead. Koufos gets two points after the tip on a hook shot, but IU responds with a D.J. dunk and two Gordon 3-pointers. Buckeyes call a timeout.
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Starting Lineups
IU: Jordan Crawford (G) Eric Gordon (G), Lance Stemler (F), D.J. White (C), Kyle Taber (F)
Ohio State: Evan Turner (G), Jamar Butler (G), David Lighty (F), Othello Hunter (F), Kosta Koufos (C)
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We're coming at you live, courtside from the press box at Value City Arena in Columbus for the IU-OSU game. There is a 1 p.m. tipoff. The game is televised on CBS. I suggest you tune in and log onto the Basketblog when the game starts as to immerse yourself in college basketball coverage.
The Hoosiers are just warming up on the floor right now. A.J. Ratliff is not with the team, for the second straight game.
Interesting fact of the day: there is a disco ball hanging from the ceiling at Value City Arena.
I'll be back with starting line-ups in about half an hour. Till then, finish whatever Food Network show you are watching and get ready for some basketball.
