Ohio State Survives Scare in Happy Valley

If you haven't seen the 9th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes play this season, all one would need to do is watch a single game and you pretty much have a synopsis on how the Buckeyes have played their games this season.

Buckeyes go on a run to build up a big lead...the opponent counters with a run to cut that lead...Evan Turner takes over the game...

Wednesday night's 75-67 victory for Ohio State against the pesky Penn State Lions would be more of the same.

Turner recorded 25 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals, two blocks and hit countless big shots down the stretch on his way to a 7-of-10 shooting performance in the second half.

"The shots he hit, I honestly think you really can't guard them," said Penn State's Talor Battle. "It's pretty hard to guard him."

Buckeye head coach Thad Matta echoed Battle's comments.

"What you saw tonight, he's done that several times," explained Matta. "A lot of people forget he's 6-foot-7. He's long ... he was able to get up over the guards, a couple pull-ups."

David Lighty also put in a solid performance bucketing 18 points while Jon Diebler and William Buford rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Buckeyes with 16 and 12 points, respectively.

Penn State was led by their leading scorer, Battle, who led them with a team-high 22 points.

At the outset, the Buckeyes knew they were in for a battle, no pun intended, as Penn State built an early lead.

Down 15-14 halfway through the first half, Ohio State went on a 12-4 run during a seven minute span and closed out the half leading 30-26.

Then came the Buckeye run...

Ohio State opened the second half on a 19-6 run to take a 49-32 lead with 13:32 left in the game.

Then came the Opponent run...

Penn State got within two points with 5:15 remaining.

Then Evan Turner took over...

Turner would go onto score the next eight Buckeye points including ten out of their last 14 points as Ohio State came up victorious.

The victory moves Ohio State (22-7, 12-4) into the second spot in the Big Ten standings.

The Buckeyes look to maintain that spot this Saturday as they host rival Michigan in Columbus.

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