The Buckeyes gradually extended their five-point halftime lead to 68-54 five minutes into the second half. Their lead was 12 points with about 6 minutes remaining before Thornton’s personal 8-1 run put the game out of reach.
First, he drew a shooting foul, made both free throws and extended it to a four-point play when he made two more free throws after a technical foul on Indiana State’s Samage Teel. After a couple of layups by Thornton on ensuing possessions, the Buckeyes led 94-75 with 4 1/2 minutes remaining.
Jaden Daughtry scored 25 points on 7-of-10 shooting and 11 of 15 free throws for Indiana State (8-5). Teel scored 13 points, Camp Wagner 13 and K’mani Doughty 10.
The Sycamores made 9 of 20 3-pointers in the first half and finished 10 for 28. They average 11 made 3-pointers and 30 3-point attempts per game.
It was the first matchup between the two programs.
Up next for the Buckeyes is a three-games-in-seven-days stretch of Big Ten play, beginning with a home game against No. 18 Michigan State on Thursday.
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