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Fresh and rested, Ohio State rushed out to a double-digit lead over ranked Rutgers. The Buckeyes are up 42-30 at the half over No. 15 Rutgers.
Rutgers was dreadful offensively in the first half, just 13-of-31 from the floor and 3-of-11 behind the arc. They managed just two free throws in the first half, indicative of a team that hasn’t attacked the rim effectively.
Ohio State has also vastly out-rebounded Rutgers 22-11. They have five offensive rebounds (Rutgers has just two).
Not to mention the strong run to end the first half by the Buckeyes:
Ohio State's best half of the season might've been on the road in Big Ten play in January. What a year.
A 22-4 run to end the half.
E.J. Liddell with 13 points and three blocks. Duane Washington with 11 points. A 22-11 edge on the glass. 54 percent shooting. 6-for-12 from 3.
— Colin Hass-Hill (@chasshill) January 9, 2021
When your leading scorer, Ron Harper Jr., has just five points at halftime, you know it has the makings of a long afternoon for Rutgers.
The Buckeyes saw their midweek game against Penn State cancelled due to COVID-19 while Rutgers played (and lost) at Michigan State. Rutgers has looked worn down so far and Ohio State has been far more energetic.
At halftime, the Buckeyes have been led by forward E.J. Liddell (13 points) and Duane Washington Jr. (11 points).