Men’s Basketball vs. Iowa – Postgame Notes – Ohio State Buckeyes
1/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Ohio State 79 (12-3; 3-0 Big Ten), Iowa 48 (7-9; 0-3 Big Ten)
Jan. 9, 2008
Value City Arena
Columbus, Ohio
Attendance: 18,473
Postgame Notes
Ohio State has won its last 19 Big Ten Conference games, including a streak of 16 during the regular season and the last seven on the road. The Buckeyes have won 29 of their last 31 games against conference opponents.
The win for the Buckeyes is the biggest in conference and overall since Ohio State defeated Penn State 104-69, Jan. 25, 2006.
The game Wednesday was the 11th time this season the Buckeyes held their opponents to less than 40 percent shooting. Iowa finished 33.9 percent at 19 for 56.
The Buckeyes held Iowa to just 18.2 percent shooting from behind the 3-point arc. Iowa was held to just 2-18 from behind the 3-point stripe in the second half.
Ohio State led by four points, 18-14, at 10:23 of the first half. The Buckeyes then went on a 32-3 until 18:41 of the second half to distance themselves from the Hawkeyes.
The Buckeyes charged into the locker room on a 27-3 run over the final 9:54 of the first half. The run stretched the Buckeye lead into a 45-17 halftime advantage.
Freshman Eric Wallace recorded career high in both points with 10 and led the team with eight rebounds.
Ohio State outscored Iowa 24-3 on point off turnovers. The Buckeyes committed only six turnovers as the Hawkeyes turned it over 15 times. The six turnovers are the lowest for OSU since five against Texas A&M, Nov. 23.
The Buckeyes did not commit a turnover in the first half and forced nine first half turnovers by the Hawkeyes.
The win is the 93rd career victory for seniors Jamar Butler and Matt Terwilliger. The two seniors are five wins behind Richard Reasbeck and Douglas McDonald (1960-63) for the most career wins by a single class in Ohio State history.
Defense was the order of the first half for Ohio State as only two Iowa players, Tony Freeman (5) and Justin Johnson (1) recorded field goals in first period.
Ohio State led 45-17 at halftime Wednesday. The Buckeyes have won 41 of their last 44 games when leading at halftime and is 79-9 when leading at the halfway mark under Matta.
Senior guard Jamar Butler has recorded 38 assists over the last four games, including nine against Iowa.
During his tenure at Ohio State, the Buckeyes are 49-8 when Butler has four or more assists.
All 13 Buckeyes who dressed saw action and 11 recorded points.
The game Wednesday was the first Big Ten meeting between Ohio State head coach Thad Matta and Iowa head coach Todd Lickliter. The two had faced each other when OSU defeated Butler, then coached by Lickliter, 79-69 in overtime, Nov. 22, 2005.
