Thomas scores 19, No. 18 OSU rolls, 71-45 - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Deshaun Thomas overcame a slow start to

score 19 points and No. 18 Ohio State used a 16-0 second-half run

to beat Minnesota 71-45 on Wednesday night.

The teams came into the night in dire need of a Big Ten win.

Both had lost three of their last four, and each was humiliated on

the road on Sunday. The Golden Gophers (18-9, 6-8 Big Ten) were

pounded at Iowa, 72-51, while Ohio State (19-7, 9-5) wasn't a

factor over the final 35 minutes in a 71-49 rout by Wisconsin.

Shannon Scott added 11 points and LaQuinton Ross 10 for the

Buckeyes, who have won the last six meetings with the Golden

Gophers overall and the last six in Columbus.

Andre Hollins had 11 points and Oto Osenieks 10 for Minnesota,

which had a season-high 24 turnovers and shot just 29 percent from

the field (14 of 48).

(Copyright 2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)