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Ohio State seeks ninth straight win

Dec 22, 2008 - 2:35 PM North Carolina-Asheville (4-7) at No. 16 Ohio State (8-0), 7:00 p.m. EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- Even without injured David Lighty, Ohio State has plenty of resources to prove it can still be a legitimate contender.

The 16th-ranked Buckeyes look to extend the nation's longest winning streak when they take on North Carolina-Asheville on Monday.

Ohio State has strung together 13 consecutive victories overall - including the final five contests of 2007-08, when it won the NIT.

Still, playing without Lighty will be a daunting task, even for a team allowing only 52.9 points per game.

The junior forward, who was third on the team in scoring with 9.7 points, is out for six to 12 weeks after breaking a bone in his left foot during Wednesday's 81-68 triumph over Jacksonville.

Evan Turner continues to pace the Buckeyes, averaging 16.9 points and 7.3 rebounds.

North Carolina-Asheville looks to snap a two-game losing streak, but will have to stymie a team that is 6-0 at home.

The Bulldogs are 0-6 on the road this season and have surrendered 83.5 points per game.

Reid Augst leads the team with 14.5 points, while John Williams has recorded 11.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.