MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Greg Oden had 19 points and nine rebounds Sunday afternoon to lead second-ranked Ohio State to an 85-67 rout of Minnesota and its 11th straight victory.
OSU spurted to a 17-8 advantage with 12:05 left in the first half and led, 43-31, at the break. The lead grew to 24 points in the final 20 minutes after Minnesota staged a brief rally.
Ron Lewis had 16 points and four rebounds, and Othello Hunter had 15 points and five rebounds for Ohio State. Ivan Harris had 14 points, four rebounds and two assists; and Mike Conley Jr. added six points and 10 assists for the Buckeyes (24-3, 12-1 Big Ten), who likely will be the nation's top-ranked team this week after current No. 1 Florida's 83-70 loss to Vanderbilt Saturday.
Lawrence McKenzie led the Golden Gophers with 22 points and 10 rebounds. Lawrence Westbrook had 11 points, two rebounds and two assists for Minnesota (9-18, 3-10), which has lost four straight.
