Feb. 23, 2000
By RUSTY MILLER
AP Sports Writer
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - In a game that No. 6 Ohio State had to win to stay in the Big Ten championship race, the Northwestern men's basketball team refused to roll over and lose.
In the end, though, Michael Redd scored 25 points and the Buckeyes broke open a close game to beat the Wildcats, 69-49, at the Value City Arena on Wednesday night.
"In the second half our defense really took over and we were very good," Ohio State coach Jim O'Brien said. "The first 20 minutes wasn't so much about what we didn't do, other than make a few more shots. It was all about what they did do."
Northwestern led 10-6 early and -- thanks to a last-second bucket by a streaking Jason Burke -- trailed just 29-27 at the half as seven different Wildcats scored in the stanza. The 27 points were a dramatic improvement from Northwestern's last game, when the 'Cats mustered just six in the first half in a 63-30 home loss to Illinois.
"I'm sure Jimmy got after them at halftime, let's be honest about it," O'Neill said.
If he did, his Ohio State team listened. The Buckeyes opened the second half with a 9-2 spurt, with Redd scoring five of them. Brian Brown got it started when he rebounded his own miss and Scoonie Penn added a steal and layup.
After Steve Lepore hit a 3-pointer to draw the Wildcats to 48-40 with 9:15 left, Redd answered with the game's next five points. Northwestern got no closer than 11 points after that.
Redd hit all five of his shots from the field in the second half for the Buckeyes (19-5 overall, 10-3 Big Ten), who stayed within a game of the top spot in the Big Ten with three games remaining.
"I was in the flow of the offense, attacking the rim and getting to the free-throw line," Redd said. "We played hard in the first half but in the second half we played a lot harder."
Northwestern coach Kevin O'Neill said it was a mismatch to have Redd guarded by a first-year player.
"You get a pro out there against a freshman and that's what happens," he said.
Ben Johnson led the Wildcats (5-21, 0-13) with 17 points while Lepore added 11.
George Reese had 16 points and Brian had 10 to help pace Ohio State. Ken Johnson added 11 rebounds and six blocked shots along with seven points.
"Any time you can win by double figures in this conference, you have to be very happy," O'Brien said. "We're having a good season, knowing full well there's a lot of games left to be played."
O'Neill said the Buckeyes deserve their high ranking.
"They're a good team. They deserve to be the No. 6 team in the country," he said. "They've got a shot at the title if Michigan State stumbles."
Northwestern will be home on Saturday, hosting Michigan at 11 a.m. in Welsh-Ryan Arena.