Washington scores 17, Ohio State tops No. 15 Rutgers 79-68
By MATT SUGAM - Jan. 09, 2021 03:02 PM EST
Rutgers guard Aiden Terry (25) drives to the basket past Rutgers center Myles Johnson (15) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Ohio State won 79-68. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Rutgers guard Aiden Terry (25) drives to the basket past Rutgers center Myles Johnson (15) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Ohio State won 79-68. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Ohio State forward Justice Sueing (14) drives to the basket past Rutgers guard Paul Mulcahy during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Ohio State won 79-68. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Ohio State guard Duane Washington Jr. bumps fists with forward Justice Sueing (14) after making a free throw during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Rutgers, Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Ohio State won 79-68. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Ohio State guard Jimmy Sotos dives for a loose ball under Rutgers guard Paul Mulcahy (4) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Ohio State won 79-68. Sotos was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Ohio State forward Justice Sueing, left, is fouled by Rutgers guard Montez Mathis, right, during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021, in Piscataway, N.J. Ohio State won 79-68. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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PISCATAWAY, N.J. (AP) — Duane Washington Jr. scored 17 points and Ohio State closed the first half with a big run to beat No. 15 Rutgers 79-68 on Saturday.

The Buckeyes (9-3, 3-3 Big Ten) used a 22-4 burst to take a 42-30 lead at halftime in sending Rutgers (7-4, 3-4) to its third straight loss.

Ohio State started the second half strong, too, expanding its lead to 52-32 with 15:56 left.

Rutgers trailed by 22 before making a late rally. Paul Mulcahy stole the ball from Jimmy Sotos, leading to a fast-break dunk that capped a 14-2 surge that made it 67-57 with 3:50 to play.

Sotos appeared to injure his shoulder on the play and was taken to the locker room. The Buckeyes were already missing senior C.J. Walker, who is out with a thumb injury.

The Scarlet Knights got no closer than eight points down the stretch,

The Buckeyes shot 51%, including 42% from 3-point range. Washington was 4 for 8 on 3s.

E.J. Liddell had 15 points for Ohio State, Kyle Young had 13 and Justice Sueing had 12 points 10 rebounds and five assists.

Jacob Young scored 19 points and Caleb McConnell 12 for Rutgers.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

After losing at No. 23 Michigan State earlier this week, 15 Rutgers will surely tumble in the polls. Ohio State, meanwhile, is receiving votes and sits right outside the Top 25 and is likely to re-enter the rankings with this win.

EARLY ENROLLEES

Both Rutgers and Ohio State had four-star recruits that were set to graduate and enroll early. Meechie Johnson Jr., who is coming off an ACL tear, checked in midway through the first half for Ohio State, while Jaden Jones recently joined Rutgers early, and was on the sidelines in street clothes.

BIG PICTURE

Ohio State: The Buckeyes are now back at .500 in the Big Ten at 3-3, and earned their first road conference road win after dropping the first three.

Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights find themselves in a funk in a tough stretch. With Ohio State receiving votes in the AP, it was the seventh straight game to open conference play for Rutgers against a team to earn votes or a ranking in the Top 25. No. 8 Wisconsin looms next, rounding out a stretch playing five ranked opponents in the first eight conference games.

UP NEXT

Ohio State: Host Northwestern Wednesday night.

Rutgers: Host No. 8 Wisconsin on Friday night.

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More AP college basketball: http://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and http;//www.twitter.com/AP_Top25