OSU crafts upset of Michigan State
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Aaron Craft slashed through the lane for a career-high 21 points Sunday – more than he had scored in the last three games combined – to lead No. 18 Ohio State to a 68-60 victory over fourth-ranked Michigan State.
The loss crippled the Spartans’ hopes of catching up with top-ranked Indiana, which now leads the Big Ten race by two full games with four remaining.
Deshaun Thomas added 12 of his 14 points in the second half for the Buckeyes (10-5, 20-7), who stand fifth in the conference. Evan Ravenel added 10 points and a crucial block in the final minute.
Freshman Gary Harris had 14 points and Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix each had 12 for the Spartans (11-4, 22-6), who have dropped two in a row after winning 11 of 12.
The victory improved Ohio State to 2-7 against ranked teams this season – both wins against Michigan’s Big Ten teams at Value City Arena. The Buckeyes are 18-0 against teams not in the Associated Press Top 25.
Michigan State led 36-27 after a Payne jumper from the left baseline early in the second half, all but quieting the crowd.
But the Buckeyes didn’t back down, scoring 18 of the next 23 points to forge a five-point lead.
No. 6 Duke 89, Boston College 68: Freshman Rasheed Sulaimon scored a season-high 27 points and No. 6 Duke routed Boston College 89-68 in Durham, N.C.
Mason Plumlee added 19 points and 15 rebounds for the Blue Devils (11-3 ACC, 24-3). They shot nearly 54 percent – 62 percent during the first half – and outscored BC 48-17 during the 15½ minute span that put this one out of reach by halftime.
No. 7 Michigan 71, Illinois 58: Trey Burke had 26 points and eight assists to help No. 7 Michigan bounce back from a slow start to beat visiting Illinois 71-58.
The Wolverines (10-4 Big Ten, 23-4) shook off a sluggish first half with a strong second to win consecutive games for the first time in nearly a month.
The Fighting Illini (7-8, 20-9) had won five straight, a streak that started Feb. 7 by beating top-ranked Indiana.
No. 25 Notre Dame 62, Cincinnati 41: Jerian Grant scored 13 points to lead No. 25 Notre Dame to a 62-41 win over visiting Cincinnati.
Grant shot just 2-of-9 from the field but was perfect from the free-throw line, hitting a season-high nine.
The Irish (10-5 Big East, 22-6) had four players score in double figures. Tom Knight scored 12, followed by Jack Cooley and Eric Atkins with 11.