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Ohio State, Massachusetts clash for NIT title

Apr 3, 2008 - 1:05 PM No. 2 Massachusetts (25-10) vs. No. 1 Ohio St (23-13) 7:00 pm EDT

NEW YORK (Ticker) - Ohio State has had an easy time, so far, during the National Invitation Tournament.

Expect Massachusetts to give the Buckeyes more of a challenge when the schools meet in the NIT championship on Thursday.

Ohio State (23-13), which lost in last year's NCAA Tournament final, has won all four of its games by double figures for an average of 14.5 points.

The Buckeyes jumped out to a 24-point halftime lead over Mississippi in the semifinals on Tuesday before settling for an 81-69 victory.

Jamar Butler and freshman Evan Turner each scored 17 points to lead the Buckeyes, who forced 21 turnovers.

While Ohio State has cruised during the tournament, the Minutemen (25-10) have rallied for a couple of comebacks during their NIT run.

Massachusetts trailed Florida by nine at halftime in Tuesday's semifinal, but used a 22-6 burst during the second half en route to a 78-66 victory over the NCAAs two-time defending champion.

"The reason I thought we'd have a chance in this game was if our seniors showed some leadership," Massachusetts coach Travis Ford said. "These guys just have that never-die attitude."

Gary Forbes scored 19 points and Dante Milligan had 17 and 11 rebounds for the Minutemen, who also rallied from a 22-point second half deficit to defeat Syracuse in the quarterfinal round.