Buford scores 23 for Buckeyes
COLUMBUS, OH (AP) -- William Buford scored 23 points and Aaron Craft had a hand in two critical plays down the stretch to lead No. 2 Ohio State to a 71-61 win over Michigan State on Tuesday night.
It was a hard-fought struggle for the Buckeyes (25-1, 12-1 Big Ten), playing for the first time since having their unbeaten season ended with a 61-57 loss at Wisconsin on Saturday.
Jon Diebler and David Lighty each had 12 points.
Jared Sullinger, averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds, was limited to 11 and 2.
Craft, a freshman substitute point guard, had seven points, four assists, four steals and three rebounds.
Kalin Lucas led the Spartans (14-11, 6-7) with 14 points, while Adreian Payne and Draymond Green each had 10.
The Buckeyes finished the game on an 18-10 run to pull away.
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