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Buckeyes Begin Season By Blasting Alcorn State

POSTED: 8:43 pm MST November 9, 2009

(Sports Network) - Evan Turner had a triple-double with 14 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists to help 16th-ranked Ohio State roll to a 100-60 season-opening win over Alcorn State in the 2K Sports Coaches vs. Cancer Classic.

Jon Diebler had 22 points, William Buford had 19 points and Jeremie Simmons added 12 off the bench for the Buckeyes (1-0), who finished last season with a mark of 22-11.

"We did a decent job of sustaining our momentum throughout the game, taking care of the ball and playing unselfish defense," said Ohio State coach Thad Matta.

The only other triple-double by an Ohio State player was on December 6, 1986 by Dennis Hopson against Ohio University.

"When you think of all the great players that have come through Ohio State, to be put into a select category like that is obviously a tremendous honor and it speaks volumes to the player he is," said Matta. "It's an amazing stat line when you really think about it. He was everywhere tonight, finding the ball and making plays - we need him to do that."

Jonathan Boyd had 20 points while Tony Eackles tallied 14 points for the Braves (0-1), who lost 25 games last season.

"The game got away from us early," said Alcorn State coach Larry Smith. "Ohio State was fired up and knocking shots down from the start. We as a team did not block out and do the important things."

Ohio State never trailed in this game as the team scored the first eight points of the contest to establish control.

The Buckeyes continued to build on their lead, but the Braves got a three- pointer from Boyd and a bucket from Gifford Blakely to cut the deficit to 25-15.

However, Ohio State scored the next 16 points with Turner capping the burst on a jumper for a 41-15 lead with just over six minutes to play in the first half.

Buford made a pair of three-pointers late in the first half to help the Buckeyes take a 56-28 lead into the locker room.

Ohio State got the first five points of the second half and continually built on its lead. Alcorn State never got closer than 31 points through the remainder of the game.

Game Notes

This was the first meeting between these two schools...Ohio State plays James Madison on Thursday...Alcorn State plays Arkansas on Friday...JaMarkus Holt had nine points, five blocks and 10 rebounds for Alcorn State...Alcorn State shot just 21-for-61 from the floor while Ohio State made 39-of-73 shots.

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