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Bloomington, IN (Sports Network) - William Buford totaled 21 points, seven rebounds and four assists, pacing No. 13 Ohio State to a 69-52 drubbing of Indiana in a Big Ten mismatch.
Ohio State turned the ball over just six times and shot 48.2 percent from the floor to send the Hoosiers (9-14, 3-8) to their fifth straight loss.
Dallas Lauderdale added 14 points, eight boards and seven blocks, while Kyle Madsen ended with 11 points for the Buckeyes (19-6, 9-3 Big Ten), winners in nine of their last 11 since Evan Turner's return from a back injury on January 6th.
Turner was in early foul trouble Wednesday and recorded a silent 10 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the blowout. Ohio State joined Michigan State and Illinois atop the conference with 9-3 marks.
Christian Watford and led Indiana with 15 points and Jordan Hulls added 13.
OSU scored the game's first nine points, thanks in part to Indiana's 0-for-6 effort from the floor in the opening three-plus minutes.
The Hoosiers caught a little hot streak and pulled within one, 18-17, on a Verdell Jones III layup, and Watford countered back-to-back inside buckets from Buford with one from long distance.
The three-pointer, though, was Indiana's final basket over the remaining six minutes of the half. The Buckeyes forced six turnovers during the pivotal 12-0 stretch, allowing for easy points in transition en route to a 34-20 halftime lead.
Ohio State led by double-digits the entire second half. Ahead 44-34, the visitors embarked on a 14-3 run to break the game open. The five-minute stretch was capped by consecutive Madsen makes from the right wing and two Turner free throws for a 58-37 lead with just over 10 minutes to play, and the Buckeyes cruised from there.
Ohio State, which has won eight straight conference games, swept the season series by a combined 148-106 scoreJones, coming off a 28-point game in a loss to Northwestern on Sunday, scored 11 in the lossTurner came into the game averaging 19.7 ppg and 9.4 rpg. Ohio State's bench outscored Indiana's subs, 15-3The Hoosiers shot 37.0 percent from the field and committed 14 turnovers.