Buckeyes Down Norse in Exhibition Play – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Nov. 9, 2004
Box Score | Quotes | Notes
COLUMBUS, Ohio-The Ohio State men’s basketball team opened the Thad Matta era with a 77-67 victory over Northern Kentucky University Tuesday in the Buckeyes’ only exhibition game of the 2004-05 season.
Matta, Ohio State’s first-year head coach, watched his squad win for the first time under his direction at Value City Arena.
Junior Terence Dials led the Buckeyes with 22 points before fouling out late in the second half. He made 10 of 11 foul shots to go with seven rebounds in just 22 minutes of playing time.
Je’Kel Foster, a junior college transfer playing for the first time as a Buckeye, scored 19 points on 6 of 8 shooting from the field and a 6 of 6 effort from the foul line.
J.J. Sullinger, a junior from Columbus, recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Ohio State went to the foul line 43 times in the win, connecting on 32 free throws (.744).
NKU was led by forward Derek Smith and guard Mike Kelsey, both with 16 points.
Ohio State opens the regular season Nov. 15 in the first round of the Guardians Classic at Value City Arena. Ohio State takes on Towson at 8 p.m. after Robert Morris faces Morgan State at 5:30 p.m.
The winners and losers face one another the following day at VCA.
