It’s a Team Effort for Ohio State

Ohio State went to the Final Four last season not apologizing for the fact it was carried by guards Scoonie Penn and Michael Redd.

Maybe the Buckeyes can go even farther in the tournament this season now that it appears they’re no longer a two-man team.

George Reese, a reserve forward, scored 19 points as 13th-ranked Ohio State defeated No. 10 Michigan State, 78-67, Thursday night at Columbus, Ohio--ending the Spartans’ Big Ten winning streak at 21 games.

Ohio State, 12-3 overall and 4-1 in the Big Ten, also ended a losing streak against Michigan State (12-5, 3-1) at 10. Indiana, Michigan and Purdue also have one loss in conference.

Reese, a starter before being moved into a sixth-man role after Ohio State struggled early in the season, made eight of 13 shots.

“They’re not a two-man team anymore,” Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo said. “I think Reese is one of the best sixth men in the country.”

Ohio State had three other scorers in double figures--Penn with 16 points, Redd and Brian Brown and with 14 apiece. Ken Johnson, the nation’s leading shot-blocker, was also a factor with four blocks and eight points.

Morris Peterson had 20 points and 11 rebounds, Andre Hutson had 14 points, A.J. Granger 11 and Mateen Cleaves 10 for Michigan State--which also reached the Final Four last season. The Spartans got six points from their reserves, the Buckeyes got 24.

“Everyone talked about the Scoonie-Mateen and Peterson-Redd matchups,” Reese said. “But we kind of thought our guys off the bench would make a difference.”

Reese’s free throw with 12:06 left in the half broke a 15-15 tie and Ohio State led thereafter, building margins to 13 points in the second half and never allowing Michigan State closer than six.

“This proves we will be a contender,” Penn said. “Michigan State has been on a pedestal, but this proves we aren’t a fluke.”

No. 15 Tulsa 67, San Jose State 41--Marcus Hill made four of six three-point shots and had 16 points at Tulsa, Okla., as the Golden Hurricane (17-1, 3-0 in the Western Athletic Conference) increased its winning streak to 10. San Jose State (10-8, 1-2) came into the game allowing an average 55 points--the best in the nation.

Louisville 72, No. 23 DePaul 59--Tony Williams scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half at Louisville, Ky., as the Cardinals (11-5, 3-2 in Conference USA) improved their home-court record to 9-0. Williams scored nine points in a three-minute span early in the second half as Louisville took a 14-point lead with 13 minutes to play. DePaul (12-5, 3-2) got no closer than five thereafter.

PACIFIC 10

Alex Scales scored six of his 17 points in overtime--including the decisive basket with 14.1 seconds left--to help give Oregon (12-3, 3-1) to a 76-74 victory over Washington (6-11, 1-4) at Seattle. The Ducks also got a career-high 23 points from junior forward Bryan Bracey, who made all 10 of his shots. Deon Luton had 18 points for the Huskies. . . . Brian Jackson scored 19 points to lead Oregon State (9-6, 1-3) to a 77-73 victory over Washington State (5-9, 0-5) at Pullman, Wash., where the Beavers had not won since 1990. David Adams made all four of his three-point shots and had 20 points for the Cougars.

OTHER GAMES

Courtney Alexander scored a game-high 33 points and Terrence Roberson made seven of 11 three-point shots and had 27 points to lead Fresno State (12-6, 2-0 in the WAC) to a 101-96 victory over Texas Christian (10-10, 1-3) at Fort Worth, Texas.