Recap: Ohio State vs. Michigan
Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Nik Stauskas scored 15 points to help No. 15 Michigan snap a nine-game losing streak in Columbus with a 70-60 win over 22nd-ranked Ohio State on Tuesday.
Freshman Derrick Walton, Jr. recorded his first career double-double with 13 points and a personal-high 10 rebounds for the Wolverines (18-6, 10-2, Big Ten), who went more than 11 years between road wins against the Buckeyes. Their previous victory in Columbus was a 61-50 triumph on Jan. 15, 2003.
LaQuinton Ross had 24 points, one shy of his career best, to lead Ohio State (19-6, 6-6), which had won three straight.
Ohio State was ahead 43-37 with 12:11 remaining, but Zak Irvin buried a 3- pointer to ignite a 12-0 Michigan run over the next three minutes. Walton capped the surge when he was fouled on a drive in the lane. The shot fell and his free throw made it 49-43 with 9:16 to play.
The Buckeyes got within one at 51-50, but were unable to regain the lead.
Walton was fouled on a 3-point attempt as the shot clock expired. He sank all three free throws to put the Wolverines up 62-52 with 1:55 left.
"We did not execute the way we needed to execute," said Ohio State head coach Thad Matta. "We backed off the ball a lot and did not attack."
Ohio State was up by as many as 10 on two occasions in the first half and still led at halftime despite not making a field goal in the final 6:25.
Two Ross free throws gave the Buckeyes a 30-26 advantage at the break.
"Once our guys settled down, we showed a lot of high character," said Michigan head coach John Beilein.