Ohio State Wins Exhibition Opener 88-59 Over Ashland – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/31/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
COLUMBUS, Ohio The Ohio State men’s basketball team opened its season Wednesday with an 88-59 exhibition win vs. Ashland at Value City Arena. The game marked the first Ohio State and Big Ten men’s basketball game televised on the Big Ten Network, now in its first year.
Ohio State started a pair of freshmen along with three veterans from the 35-4 squad a year ago. Seniors Jamar Butler and Othello Hunter, sophomore David Lighty and rookies Kosta Koufos and Jon Diebler took the court as starters.
Koufos made the game’s opening basket and grabbed the first rebound in his debut. He scored the first four points and collected Ohio State’s first three rebounds. The rookie from Canton finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
Hunter also added a double-double for the Buckeyes with an identical 15 and 12 of his own. Lighty did most of his damage in the second half, finishing with 13 points on 6-of-9 from the field.
Ashland was paced by Bret Bartlett’s 15 points, connecting on 5-of-10 from long range.
All seven newcomers scored for the Buckeyes, including the five freshmen and both transfers, sophomores P.J. Hill and Kyle Madsen. Dallas Lauderdale led all newcomers with eight points. Butler and Diebler and Eric Wallace all finished with seven points.
Ohio State shot 56 percent (36-of-64) from the field and outscored the Eagles 56-17 inside.
Ohio State has one remaining exhibition contest at 7 p.m. Nov. 6 against Findlay in Columbus.
Ohio State opens the regular season Nov. 12-13 in the Dick’s Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off at Value City Arena. The Buckeyes take on Wisconsin-Green Bay at 9 p.m. Nov. 12 on ESPN2. The event opener pits Columbia and Delaware State at 6 p.m. The winners and losers from day one face off Nov. 13. The team with two victories advances to Madison Square Garden in New York in the NIT semifinals Nov. 21. The title game will be played Nov. 23.
