Northwestern learned a bit about how to play against Ohio State in the eight days between games with the Buckeyes but the result was the same.
No. 5 Ohio State (17-3, 5-1), led by freshman Greg Oden’s 17 points and 17 rebounds, had to break a sweat Wednesday night but went home with a 59-50 victory. In Columbus earlier this month, the Wildcats (11-9, 1-6) were a 73-41 loser.
“I feel better about it than I did seven days ago, but we’ve played three Big Ten teams at home now: Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State,” Northwestern coach Bill Carmody said. “Some pretty good teams, but every game seems the same. We get down to the last two or three minutes, and we’re right there but we can’t seem turn it.”
The potential was there for an upset as Northwestern shot Ohio State out of its zone in the first half. But down the stretch they couldn’t find the hoop. The Wildcats were outrebounded 39-19 and had fewer defensive rebounds (14) than Ohio State had offensive rebounds (15).
The Buckeyes, who were led by Ivan Harris’ 18 points, also made 15-of-24 free throws while Northwestern had just two chances and made one.
Northwestern drew within 49-46 on a 3-pointer by freshman Kevin Coble with 5:31 left in the game. Ohio State responded with a 10-4 run down the stretch. Oden, still recovering from surgery on his right wrist–his shooting hand–made 2-of-4 free throws left handed, had a basket, a block and several rebounds during the final run.
“I’m really amazed every day with the things he can do,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. “It’s just length, his timing. He has a great feel for where the ball is going to come off when it leaves the shooter’s hands. Those were big plays.”
Northwestern tried to gang up on Oden, who was mobbed like a rock star after the game, in its zone. Eventually, the probable No. 1 pick in June’s NBA draft prevailed. Wildcats senior Vince Scott, who hit three three-pointers and had three assists, couldn’t handle him.
“Vince did about as well as he could,” said senior Tim Doyle, who led Northwestern with 15 points. “Oden is going to be a pro, and Vince is going to be an investment banker
GEORGETOWN 66, DEPAUL 52
Jeff Green scored 19 points, and Roy Hibbert had 11 of his 12 in the second half, leading Georgetown past DePaul 66-52 on Wednesday night.
Draelon Burns led DePaul with a season-high 20 points. But only one other DePaul player scored more than five: Wilson Chandler with 10–but he shot 1-for-13 after halftime, when the game was tied 30-30.
Georgetown limited DePaul (12-9, 3-4) to 27 percent shooting in the second half, including a six-minute stretch without a field goal.
WIS.-GREEN BAY 77, UIC 57
A 16-0 run midway through the first half sparked Wisconsin-Green Bay to a 77-57 victory over Illinois Chicago on Wednesday night. UIC (9-12, 4-4 Horizon League) started fast, hitting its first seven field-goal attempts.
But it only meant a 16-12 lead five minutes in due to accurate shooting by Green Bay as well. Trailing 21-20, the Phoenix embarked on its game-turning run.
UIC answered with a 7-0 run, but UWGB responded and eventually took a 46-33 lead into halftime. Othyus Jeffers led UIC with 18 point while T.J. Gray added 17.
WOMEN
NO. 7 CONNECTICUT 88, DEPAUL 76
Kalana Greene scored 25 points and Charde Houston added 19 to keep No. 7 Connecticut undefeated in the Big East with an 88-76 win over DePaul. Caprice Smith led DePaul (13-7, 3-4) with 19 points. Allie Quigley added 16, and Jenna Rubino and China Threatt had 15 apiece.
UConn led by as many as 17 in the second half but had a difficult time putting away the Blue Demons. DePaul never led, but used a 9-0 run to cut the lead to 74-68 with 4:30 left.
