Diebler powers Buckeyes in win
12/16/2010COLUMBUS -- Jon Diebler matched an Ohio State record with nine 3-pointers, scoring a career-high 29 points and leading the second-ranked Buckeyes past Florida Gulf Coast 83-55 Wednesday night.
Diebler, who has now made a school-best 291 shots behind the arc, shot 9-for-14 on 3s.
Toledoan William Buford became the 47th Buckeye player to reach the 1,000-point career mark, finishing with 17 points. Jared Sullinger added 11 for Ohio State (9-0).
Chase Fieler had 12 points and Anthony Banks 10 for the Eagles (2-6), playing their first game after an 11-day break.
Diebler made three 3-pointers in an 11-0 run in the first half that put the Buckeyes in command.
His nine 3-pointers were a Value City Arena record. He matched the Ohio State record held by Jay Burson.
The Buckeyes took control early and never let up, thanks to Diebler.
The Eagles were intent on preventing Sullinger, who scored a school freshman record 40 points last week against IUPUI, from beating them. As a result, they tried to pack the middle as much as possible.
Sullinger wasn't a factor, picking up two fouls and playing only 9 minutes in the first 20 minutes while scoring just two points.
But Diebler hit 5 of 7 3-pointers as the Buckeyes hit more shots behind the arc (7) by halftime than FGCU had total baskets (6). Ohio State was on top 42-16 at the break and substituted freely in both halves.
The Buckeyes scored the first seven points over the opening 2 1/2 minutes. After Fieler hit a 3 to put the Eagles on the board, Ohio State ran off the next 11 points.
With his second 3 of the game, Diebler moved past Indiana's A.J. Guyton (1997-2000) into seventh place all-time in Big Ten 3-pointers made.
The second half was never close as the Buckeyes tried to blend in their six freshmen with four veteran starters.
When ranked in the top 10, Ohio State moved to 249-56 with wins in 40 of its last 42 games. Against unranked teams at home, coach Thad Matta's Buckeyes teams are 93-2.
The Eagles dropped to 0-5 all-time against the Big Ten, losing earlier this season at Indiana 88-60. In the four previous losses, the average margin of defeat was 24 points.
Kevin Cantinol played in his first game for FGCU after transferring from Mississippi.
It was the first meeting ever between the teams.
No. 9 Baylor 83, Bethune-Cookman 39
WACO, Texas -- LaceDarius Dunn scored 24 points, Quincy Acy had 14 points with 10 rebounds and ninth-ranked Baylor returned from an extended break with a romp over Bethune-Cookman.
Dunn had 16 of his points before halftime for Baylor, which set a school record with its 12th straight home victory.
The Bears (7-0) went ahead to stay with Acy's dunk 1:34 into the game. Baylor led 38-22 by halftime.
Baylor wrapped up a season-opening, seven-game homestand with its first game in 13 days due to final exams.
C.J. Reed led Bethune-Cookman (5-6) with 13 points.
No. 21 Minnesota 66, Akron 58
MINNEAPOLIS -- Blake Hoffarber scored 13 points to go over 1,000 for his career, Trevor Mbakwe added 13 points and 13 rebounds and No. 21 Minnesota beat Akron.
Steve McNees scored 12 for Akron, which led 32-27 at halftime and gave the bigger and stronger Gophers all they could handle for the first 30 minutes.
Ralph Sampson III converted a three-point play and Rodney Williams threw down a rim-rattling dunk during a 12-3 run that gave Minnesota (10-1) the lead for good in the second half.
Coming off a 35-point loss to Temple on Sunday, the Zips (4-4) hit five of their first 11 3-pointers and forced 10 turnovers in the first half.