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Cook helps No. 4 Ohio State crush Eastern Kentucky

Nov 18, 2006 - 2:14 AM COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Freshman Daequan Cook made sure Ohio State would be the only team to leave with an unblemished record.

Cook scored a season-high 22 points off the bench for fourth-ranked Ohio State en route to a 74-45 triumph over Eastern Kentucky in a non-conference matchup.

With one of the biggest college football games taking place on their campus in less than 24 hours against hated rival Michigan, the Buckeyes (4-0) wasted little time taking care of business on the hardwood.

Eastern Kentucky (2-1) had opened the season with consecutive wins before it was doomed with numerous turnovers. In all, the Colonels had 26 turnovers in the contest, leading to 32 points for the Buckeyes.

"Our team came out the first and second half and executed very well. Once the game got in a flow, we got rattled," Colonels coach Jeff Neubauer said. "Ohio State was making defensive passes and they were active with their hands. They became more active as the game went on. There was no question in the first half that we had no defense for turnovers."

"I think the press wore them down," Ohio State junior Jamar Butler said. "When you press for 40 minutes you are going to get tired. I think it wore them down."

The contest was tied at 15-15 with 12:33 remaining in the first half before Ohio State took the lead for good behind an impressive 20-2 surge. Cook scored seven of his 16 first-half points during the run.

"I think we did a very good job of taking care of the ball," Buckeyes coach Thad Matta said. "We were able to get out in the open floor and control the tempo of the game. We did a great job of matching up on both ends and getting open looks."

A native of Dayton, Cook was stellar through the opening 20 minutes, connecting on all seven of his attempts, including 2-of-2 from 3-point range. He finished 10-of-13 overall.

"I was just in the flow. I didn't even pay attention to it. I just played the game," Cook said. "The team gave me wide-open shots."

The Buckeyes took a 43-23 advantage at intermission behind a commanding 71-percent (17-of-24) shooting effort from the floor.

Freshman Mike Conley Jr. had 13 points and three steals and Ron Lewis added 11 points for the Buckeyes, who shot 58 percent (28-of-48) for the game and made 8-of-19 from the arc.

Darnell Dialls scored 11 points and Mike Rose chipped in nine for Eastern Kentucky, which shot just 43 percent (19-of-44).