COL BKB: Ohio State 81, Mississippi 69

NEW YORK, April 2 (UPI) -- Evan Turner and Jamar Butler scored 17 points apiece Tuesday, powering Ohio State to an 81-69 win over Mississippi in the NIT semifinals in New York.

Turner also had eight rebounds, five assists and four steals for the Buckeyes (23-13), who will play Massachusetts in the championship game Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Kosta Koufos and David Lighty each added 16 points for OSU.

The Ole Miss Rebels (24-11) were paced by Chris Warren with a game-high 19 points, while David Huertas hit for 16 and Dwayne Curtis had 12 points along with a game-high 15 rebounds.

Ohio State controlled the boards 50-37 and forced 21 Rebels turnovers. Mississippi also only hit 9 of 20 shots from the free-throw line.