EditorsNote: adds "10" in fifth graf
Duane Washington Jr. scored 18 points and No. 6 Ohio State dominated the second half in a surprisingly lopsided 74-49 victory against No. 7 North Carolina on Wednesday night in Chapel Hill, N.C.
Just when it looked as if North Carolina might make a final late-game charge, the Buckeyes (8-0) scored 14 consecutive points.
The score went from 57-47 to 71-47, and by the time the Tar Heels scored again, there was only 3:02 remaining. They went almost 4 1/2 minutes without a point.
North Carolina (6-2) hasn't scored 80 points in a game this season while Ohio State hasn't allowed an opponent to reach 60.
E.J. Liddell scored 12 points, and 10 more apiece from CJ Walker and Kaleb Wesson gave Ohio State a well-rounded offense. Wesson also had nine rebounds.
The Buckeyes were playing outside of Columbus, Ohio, for the first time this season, but that didn't seem to bother them. Washington bagged four of the team's 10 baskets from 3-point range, and Ohio State overcame 15 turnovers.
Washington scored 12 of Ohio State's first 25 points.
Freshman guard Cole Anthony managed 15 points on 4-for-15 shooting from the field for North Carolina, which lost for the second time in the past three games -- both to Big Ten opponents. Michigan knocked off the Tar Heels in the Battle 4 Atlantis semifinals last week. All of Anthony's field goals came from 3-point range.
The Buckeyes led 29-27 at halftime, but they built a 54-40 edge before the midway mark of the second half.
Justin Pierce had five consecutive North Carolina points, but the Tar Heels couldn't keep up.
North Carolina freshman forward Armando Bacot, who came off a sterling performance against Oregon in the Battle 4 Atlantis third-place game with 23 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks, went out with an injured left ankle in the first half after scoring just two points.
North Carolina fell to 10-11 in games in the series between the conferences.
--Field Level Media
