Ohio State 79, Indiana 54: Buckeyes Win Big In Evan Turner's Return

Read more at our Buckeye blog, The Buckeye Battle Cry, and our Hoosier blog, The Crimson Quarry.

January 6, 2010 – Columbus, OH (Sports Network) – Jon Diebler netted 21 points and the Ohio State Buckeyes coasted to a 79-54 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in a Big Ten Conference affair at Value City Arena.

Diebler hit on 5-of-8 shots from long distance and recorded three steals for OSU (11-4, 1-2 BigTen), which snapped a two-game slide. William Buford also reached double figures, finishing with 16 points in the win.

Verdell Jones III led all players with 22 points, as Indiana (7-7, 1-1) had its two-game win streak snapped. Christian Watford chipped in with 11 points, but he also accounted for six of the team’s 24 turnovers.

The Buckeyes used a 26-4 run in the first half to open a commanding 38-20 lead at the intermission.

In the second half, OSU shot 44.8 percent from the floor and made 12 free throws on its way to the 25-point triumph.

The Buckeyes received a boost tonight, as star Evan Turner returned early from back injury that was expected to keep him sidelined for eight weeks. Turner, who was back in the lineup after just 4 1/2 weeks, notched eight points and five assists in 20 minutes of action.