Lenzelle Smith Jr., starting his 100th game, hit 4 of 7 3-pointers and scored 16 points to lead Ohio State past Purdue 67-49 on Saturday night, the Buckeyes’ third win in a row after losing five of six.
LaQuinton Ross led the way with 17 points for Ohio State (19-5, 6-5 Big Ten).
Reserves Kendall Stephens and Rapheal Davis had 12 and 11 points with A.J. Hammons adding 11 for the Boilermakers (14-10, 4-7), who have lost five of six overall and their last four on the road.
The Buckeyes won their first 15 games to get to No. 3 in the nation. Then lost four in a row and split the next two. Coming off two huge road wins, winning at No. 14 Wisconsin 59-58 on Feb. 1 and at No. 17 Iowa 76-69 on Tuesday.
Ahead by six at the half, the Buckeyes and Boilermakers traded buckets to start the second half.
With Ohio State on top 41-36 after Davis’ layup, the Buckeyes ran off five quick points for their biggest lead of the night to that point.
Smith poured in a 3 from the left wing off a Scott pass and Smith then returned the favor with a defensive rebound and an outlet pass that led to Scott’s breakaway.
Purdue didn’t blink, however.
The Boilermakers responded with a 9-2 run which featured Terone Johnson’s first points of the game – he was 0 for 5 from the field before hitting a 3 – to cut the lead to 48-45.
Smith came right back with a 3, though, to stem the comeback. Two possessions later, Williams was fouled by Hammons and hit two free throws. Smith then stole the ball and hit a 3 to push the lead to 56-45 with 5:43 left.
The lead was never in doubt the rest of the way.
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