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Diebler paces Ohio State over Morehead State

Nov 24, 2010 - 4:39 AM Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Jon Diebler scored 20 points and Deshaun Thomas chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds as the third-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes topped the Morehead State Eagles, 64-45, at Value City Arena.

David Lighty added 11 points and seven assists for the Buckeyes (4-0), who have now won all three meetings with the Eagles.

Kenneth Faried finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds for Morehead State (2-3), which has now lost three straight.

"Faried is the best player in our league and certainly the best on our team," said Morehead State head coach Donnie Tyndall. "When he picked up his fourth foul it really changed the complexion of our defense."

Ty Proffitt supplied 12 points and Demonte Harper and Sam Goodman both finished with nine points in defeat.

Morehead State led early in the first but Diebler's three pointer at 10:47 put the Buckeyes ahead, 11-10. Diebler added two more from long range in the first to give Ohio State a 30-24 advantage going into the intermission.

"I think overall we needed better ball movement and sharper passes," said Ohio State head coach Thad Matta. "Our guys seemed like they could not follow through with the plays we were drawing up during the breaks and that was hurting us all night long."

Thomas connected on a second-chance layup at 15:46 that put the Buckeyes up 37-32. That bucket started an 11-2 run which extended to the midway point of the second half.

After Harper hit a long triple to cut the Eagles' deficit to 56-45, the Buckeyes made four of their final five shots to put the game away.

Game Notes

Ohio State is now 12-1 against the Ohio Valley Conference...Jared Sullinger finished with eight points and eight rebounds in the victory...Next up for the Buckeyes is a visit from Miami-Ohio on Friday; Morehead State will host SIU- Edwardsville on Sunday...Faried, Proffitt, Harper and Goodman were the only Eagles who scored in the contest.