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Diebler and Buckeyes shoot down Badgers

Mar 7, 2011 - 12:38 AM Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Ohio State didn't let Wisconsin off this time around.

Jon Diebler followed up a career performance with another strong effort Sunday, scoring 27 points, and the top-ranked Buckeyes exacted a measure of revenge with a resounding 93-65 victory over the No. 10 Badgers.

Wisconsin handed Ohio State its first loss of the season back on February 12, rallying from a 15-point deficit to beat the Buckeyes, 71-67, in Madison. The Badgers were aiming to become just the ninth team to post two wins over the No.1 team in the same season, but Diebler and Co. made sure that didn't happen.

Diebler made 7-of-8 three-pointers, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists. The senior guard notched a personal-best 30 points and equaled the Big Ten record with 10 three-pointers in Tuesday's road win against Penn State.

Jared Sullinger finished with 22 points and eight boards for Ohio State (29-2, 16-2 Big Ten), which missed just one of its 15 bids from beyond the arc.

"I don't know if you could script it much better," said Ohio State head coach Thad Matta. "I thought our defensive effort was incredible; obviously [the Badgers] have the ability to make you pay. It was incredible how well we shot the basketball though."

The Buckeyes clinched an outright Big Ten title and top seed in next week's conference tournament when Purdue lost to Iowa on Saturday

Josh Gasser had 17 points to pace the Badgers (23-7, 13-5), who kept pace with Ohio State early in the contest, tying the score at 11 when Keaton Nankivil knocked down a trey. Sullinger converted a layup on the ensuing possession to give the Buckeyes the lead for good.

Diebler and William Buford both hit from long range and Aaron Craft followed with a free throw to put the home team up 33-20 with about 4 1/2 minutes to go before halftime. Diebler drained a three-pointer in the waning seconds of the first half, and Ohio State led 47-32 at the break.

The Buckeyes never allowed their lead dip below 11 in the second half.

"I thought we shot the ball well against them at our place, but what they did today is just unheard of," said Wisconsin head coach Bo Ryan.

Game Notes

Ohio State finished the regular season perfect at home with a school-record 20 wins...Buford supplied 18 points and David Lighty added 13 with six rebounds in the win...Jon Leuer scored 16 points for the Badgers...Ohio State shot a sizzling 68 percent from the field, while Wisconsin made just 42 percent of its shots...The Badgers were 9-of-24 from three-point range...Wisconsin is the No. 3 seed in the Big Ten conference tournament.