Jan. 11, 2006
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) - J.J. Sullinger scored 17 points and Je'Kel Foster tied his career high with six steals Wednesday night as No. 19 Ohio State beat Purdue 80-64.
The Buckeyes (12-1, 2-1 Big Ten) built a 14-point halftime lead, forced four turnovers by Purdue in the first 2 minutes of the second half and led by as many as 25 points midway through the period. The Boilermakers, hurt by mistakes the whole game, never came closer than 16 points the rest of the way.
Terence Dials added 13 points, while Foster and Matt Sylvester each finished with 10.
Matt Kiefer had 15 points and 13 rebounds for Purdue (6-8, 0-3), which lost its first home game of the season and its 11th straight against a ranked opponent. Marcus White added 13 points.
Purdue scored the first basket of the game, but Ohio State went on a 12-0 run, including six points by Sylvester, and turned back every comeback by the Boilermakers with timely 3-pointers. Ohio State was 11-of-22 from behind the arc.
The Buckeyes hit eight from long range in the first half, including consecutive shots by Foster and Ivan Harris after Purdue pulled within four points midway through the period.
The Boilermakers shot 52 percent and outrebounded Ohio State 16-11 in the first half, but 11 Purdue turnovers led to 16 points for the Buckeyes. The third of three 3-pointers by Sullinger pushed the lead to 40-26 with under 3 minutes to go, and after Purdue scored twice, the Buckeyes' final baskets of the half were 3-pointers by Ron Lewis.
For the game, Purdue had 21 turnovers that led to 30 points by the Buckeyes.