Men's Basketball
Buckeyes Continue Streak with Win over Iona Despite Absence of Lighty
By John PorentasNo. 17/18 Ohio State (8-0) remained undefeated this season and extended the nation's longest winning streak to 13 games (dating back to last season) with a 71-53 win over Iona (4-7) at Value City Arena.
The Buckeyes broke open what had been a close game with a 24-8 run early in the second half that turned a three-point deficit into a an 13 point lead with 10:00 left to play.
Ohio State played without the services of junior guard/forward David Lighty who broke his foot in the OSU's last game against Jacksonville. Freshman William Buford got most of Lighty's playing time logging 32 minutes.
It seemed like it took the Buckeyes a half to adjust to the absence of Lighty. Though they led at the half by four, the Gaels scored the first five points of the second half to take a one point lead and prompted a time out by OSU Head Coach Thad Matta just two minutes into the second half. Matta's message to his team was simple.
"Your security blanket is not here. It's time to play basketball. That was the gist of what of what it was," said Matta of the message he delivered. Turner said the message was delivered rather "clearly".
"He yelled at us at the beginning of the second half because they got a couple of easy buckets. We weren't competing as hard as we should," said Turner.
"He was just reminding us that everybody thinks we're not going to play as hard since we don't have Dave Lighty. He pretty much challenged us," said Turner.
The Gaels scored the next basket in the game to go up by three, but OSU answered with a three point field goal by Evan Turner that started OSU's run and put the game in the win column for the Buckeyes. There was no fundamental change in OSU's strategy during the run, but they played with more energy and hustle. The Buckeyes came up with steals defensively and converted them into 16 points off turnovers in the second half. Seven of Iona's 16 turnovers were the result of OSU's steals. Jon Diebler led the Buckeyes with four thefts, Jeremie Simmons had two and Evan Turner one. OSU also registered seven blocked shots, two each by Evan Turner and B. J. Mullens and one each by Kyle Madsen, Buford and Dallas Lauderdale. Simmons made a key steal that helped ignite the second half run with a swipe that led to a missed layup by Simmons that he rebounded and then got up a second shot, drawing a foul in the process which he converted with two made free throws.
"That was right after coach challenged us, so I tried to come up with a big play," said Simmons. "I tried to play D and I knew if I got the rebound that I was going back up with it," Simmons said.
"Jeremie kind of got his hands on a couple of balls and kind of ignited that run for us," said Matta.
OSU's amped up defense was complemented by an offensive outburst by guard Evan Turner. Turner scored 16 of his game-high 21 points after the intermission and shot 60 percent (6 of 10) from the field.
"Evan finally settled down," said Matta. "Evan probably took it the hardest of Dave not being there," Matta said.
In the second half Diebler and Simmons seemed to pick up the defensive energy that was lacking without Lighty. Diebler also took on the role of a slasher by putting the ball on the floor and getting to the rim. As a result Diebler went to the free throw line 12 times and made good on 11 attempts. Diebler finished with 16 points. Buford also managed to get to double figures with 10.
Iona Head Coach Kevin Willard cited OSU increased energy and Matta's decision to go to a smaller lineup after starting the game with both Lauderdale and Mullens on the floor as starters for the Buckeye second-half run.
"I was hoping he'd stay big as long as possible," said Willard "When they went small and put shooters out there that was a big difference because they're much quicker. They still have size even though they went small."
Iona had little ability to score inside or get to the rim. They put up 25 three point attempts and as a result of their perimeter oriented offense only got to the free throw line nine times as compared to 35 times for the Buckeyes. OSU outscored Iona 26-4 from the free throw line.
"We let it rain," said Willard regarding the number of three point attempts put up by his team. "I've got a seven footer that shoots it. We have to make threes and defend the three against them. I don't expect a close free throw comparison, so we knew we had to make some more threes. I have some kids that can shoot the ball. We have a philosophy that if you're open shoot it. We made nine."
Willard was not surprised that the Buckeyes were able to overcome the loss of Lighty and play well against his team.
"When you have this much talent on a roster as they do, I know Lighty is a very good player, but they're able to step up."
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