Ohio State pulls away early, beats Northwestern 73-57
Ohio State guard Sean McNeil (4) dribbles the ball against Northwestern guard Julian Roper II during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Marton]
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Sean McNeil and Justice Sueing each scored 11 first-half points, Brice Sensabaugh added 16 of his 18 points after halftime and Ohio State led by double figures for nearly-33 minutes as the Buckeyes beat Northwestern 73-57. Northwestern (10-3, 1-1) went into the game ranked No. 7 nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 55.7 points per game, and No. 3 in opponents field-goal percentage (35.1%) but it was the Buckeyes defense that was smothering in this game. The Wildcats made just 3 of 27 from the field to start the game and then missed eight in a row to open the second half before Zed Key threw down a two-hand dunk that gave Ohio State a 28-point lead with 15:31 to play. Chase Audige led Northwestern with 16 points.
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Ohio State forward Justice Sueing shoots against Northwestern center Matthew Nicholson during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Marton
Ohio State guard Eugene Brown III dunks the ball against Northwestern center Matthew Nicholson (34) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Evanston, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS/Matt Marton