COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Deshaun Thomas had a season-best 23 points Wednesday and Jared Sullinger returned to action in No. 2 Ohio State's 82-58 win over South Carolina-Upstate.
Sullinger, Ohio State's standout 6-9 forward, had been out for two games with back spasms. He did not play Saturday in Ohio State's visit to Kansas, where the Buckeyes suffered their first loss of the season.
Sullinger did not start Wednesday, but came into the game with 5:30 having expired, and played 22 minutes overall. He scored 12 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.
Thomas made 10-of-15 shots from the field in pacing Ohio State (9-1) to its 31st straight home win. William Buford added 14 points for the Buckeyes, who were tied with the Spartans with 3 minutes remaining in the first half before going on an 11-2 run to end the period.
Torrey Craig led South Carolina-Upstate (6-5) with 20 points.
