Columbus, Ohio (Dec. 19, 2009) --- Delaware State held the No. 18 Ohio State Buckeyes to a season-low 60 points, but could not muster up enough offense in a 60-44 men's basketball loss before 12,159 fans at Value City Arena Saturday afternoon.
The Hornets dropped their fourth straight to fall to 4-5 on the season. Ohio State has won two in a row, and seven of its last eight, to improve to 9-2.
The Buckeyes entered the contest averaging 84.7 points-per-game. OSU had three games of 100-or-more points in its first 10 games.
"I was extremely pleased with our effort against a Top 20 team in its building," said Delaware State head coach Greg Jackson. "We knew that our best chance to win was to limit Ohio State's possessions, and play sound defense. For the most part, our execution was sound, but their athleticism was the difference in the game."
Ohio State was limited to 37 shots from the floor after averaging nearly 60 per-game in its first 10 contests. The Buckeyes, however, hit 22 of their shots against the Hornets (59.5%), including 12-of-16 in the second half (75%).
Delaware State half court offense set the pace of the game early in the contest. A jumper by Marcus Neal gave the Hornets a 7-5 lead eight minutes into the game.
Ohio State responded with an 11-4 run, and opened up a 16-11 lead on a free throw by Jeremie Simmons with 5:29 left in the half. A lay up off an offensive rebound by Frisco Sandidge pulled the Hornets to within 16-13 a minute later.
The Buckeyes stretched their lead to 25-17 at the break.
Ohio State opened up a 30-19 lead on a lay up by David Lighty with 18:43 left to play. The Buckeyes could not add to their lead over the next 11 minutes, although the Hornets could get to no closer than nine.
Delaware State cut the Buckeye's lead to nine for the final time, 45-36, on a three-pointer by Neal with 6:38 remaining in the game.
Ohio State answered by scoring 11 of the next 14 points, and opened up its biggest lead, 56-39, on two free throws by P.J. Hill with 2:36 left.
William Buford led three Ohio State players in double figures with a game-high 18 points. Lighty added 12 and Dallas Lauderdale 11 for the Buckeyes.
Sandidge was the only Delaware State player in double figures with 13 points. He also tied for game-high honors with seven rebounds. Greg Smith added nine points, while Neal and Alibaba Odd added seven each for the Hornets.
Delaware State played even on the boards with the Buckeyes as each team collected 19 rebounds.
"If we play with this kind of intensity the rest of the season, I'm confident we will do well in our conference schedule," said Jackson.
The Hornets return to action on Dec. 27 at UCLA in Los Angeles.
