Ohio State uses late first-half surge to cruise by Appalachian State

Brandon Noel scored 17 points and John Mobley II had 16 to lead host Ohio State to a 75-53 win over Appalachian State on Tuesday.

The Buckeyes (3-0) used an 18-0 run at the end of the first half into the second half to close the gap and never look back.

The Mountaineers (2-2) were led by Kason Jennings with 12 points.

Christoph Tilly scored on a layup and was fouled for a three-point play to start the second half as Ohio State finished off the 18-point run it started to end the first half.

Michael Marcus Jr. hit a three-pointer for Appalachian State to cut the lead to 41-32 with 15:35 left.

However, the Mountaineers would not score again until Jennings hit a three-pointer with 8:18 left in the game and the Buckeyes comfortably ahead 57-35.

Ohio State shot 40.7 percent from the floor (22-of-54) and won on the boards, 39-31.

Noel led the way as the 6-foot-8 forward had 11 rebounds, including four on the offensive end.

Appalachian State turned the ball over nine times and was only able to hit just 35.7 percent (20-of-56) from the floor.

The Mountaineers led for most of the first half and took a 22-10 lead when Andrin Njock hit back-to-back three-pointers with 8:13 to go.

Gabe Cupps was able to cut the lead to 25-19 with a pair of free throws with 4:28 left and then Mobley took over.

The 6-foot-1 sophomore guard scored eight of the final points of the half to give the Buckeyes a 30-25 advantage at the break.

Mobley started with a jumper with 2:31 left to make it 25-21.

He then scored six straight points from the line, hitting all six free throw attempts to give Ohio State the lead with 33 seconds left.

Bruce Thornton, who had 13 points, finished off the run with a three-pointer with one second left for the five-point Ohio State lead.

Mobley's eight points led the Buckeyes in the first half and Noel had seven.

--Field Level Media