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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 9:30 a.m., Friday, March 9, 2007

No. 1 Ohio State bounces Michigan in Big Ten tourney

By Rick Gano
Associated Press

CHICAGO — Greg Oden showed he's more than a shot swatter and a rebounder. He can take control with an assortment of offensive moves, too.

Oden scored 22 points — 15 in the second half — and No. 1 Ohio State won its 15th straight game, beating Michigan 72-62 today in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament.

Oden, who hasn't decided if his freshman season will be his only one with the Buckeyes before heading to the NBA, scored 11 of his points in the final 8:27 after Michigan had pulled to within four.

Ohio State (28-3) hasn't lost in two months — a defeat Jan. 9 at Wisconsin.

The 7-foot Oden was 8-for-12 from the field and 6-for-10 from the free throw line to go with eight rebounds and four blocks.

It was Ohio State's third win in as many tries this season against Michigan (21-12), which is hoping to make the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1998. Just six days ago in Ann Arbor, the Buckeyes rallied from a late six-point deficit by holding the Wolverines scoreless for the final 4 minutes.

Ron Lewis added 16 points and Mike Conley Jr. had 13 for the Buckeyes on Friday.

Lester Abram scored 13 and Jerret Smith 12 for the Wolverines. Leading scorer Dion Harris managed just nine on 1-for-13 shooting.