COLUMBUS (AP) - Keita Bates-Diop scored 19 points as Ohio State pulled away in the second half to beat in-state rival Miami 72-59 on Saturday afternoon.
C.J. Jackson added 16 points and Kam Williams had 15 for the Buckeyes, who wrapped up their nonconference schedule with an uneven effort against a young Mid-American Conference team.
The Redhawks got within three points of the Buckeyes with six minutes left in the game after a Dalonte Brown layup. But Jackson and Williams responded with back-to-back 3-pointers on the way to a 15-2 run as the Buckeyes opened the gap.
The Buckeyes (11-4, 2-0 Big Ten) have won six of their last seven, with the only loss to No. 5 North Carolina a week ago.
Darian Ringo led the Redhawks (7-6) with 16 points, and Bam Bowman came off the bench to score 15.
The Buckeyes held on to 35-28 lead at the intermission, with Musa Jallow hitting a 3-pointer with 43 seconds left in the half to open up the margin. Both teams shot 38 percent in the half, with Ohio State hitting just 1 of their first 9 attempts from the floor.
BIG PICTURE
Miami: Young team ran tough with the Buckeyes in the first half but in the end couldn't keep up when the more talented opponent started hitting its shots.
Ohio State: The Buckeyes were inconsistent in beating a middling MAC team, one final tune-up before they plunge into the Big Ten schedule. They needed a flurry of 3-pointers to pull away in the second half.
UP NEXT
Miami: Plays at Bowling Green on Tuesday.
Ohio State: Plays at Iowa on Thursday.
