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Butler scores 32 in Ohio State 74-58 win over Illinois
By DAVID MERCER, Associated Press Writer

Posted January 03, 2008
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For more on this game, see the Postgame Stats

CHAMPAIGN, Ill.(AP) Jamar Butler scored 32 points to lead Ohio State to a 74-58 win over Illinois Thursday in the Big Ten opener for both teams.

Butler accounted for almost half of his team's offense in the first half, then scored 15 straight points early in the second, when the Buckeyes (10-3, 1-0) pulled away from the Illini. The senior guard, who averaged 14.2 points coming into the game, was 4-for-7 from 3-point range.

Forward Othello Hunter added 15 points for Ohio State. Illinois held 7-foot center Kosta Koufos, the Buckeyes' leading score coming into the game, to eight points.

Senior forward Brian Randle led Illinois (8-6, 0-1) with 14 points. Center Shaun Pruitt added 12 points and eight rebounds.

Both teams struggled shooting in a physical first half, which saw the score tied seven times.

Aside from 13 first-half points from Butler, the Buckeyes were largely lifeless with the ball, hitting 2-of-11 3-point shots and 11-of-30 field goals in the first 20 minutes.

The Illini shot 2-of-10 from 3-point range in the first half and 12-of-29 from the field.


 
Related:
Illinois
    Record: 16-19
    Big Ten record: 5-13

Ohio State
    Record: 24-13
    Big Ten record: 10-8

Jamar Butler (OHST)
    Class: Senior
    Height: 6'1'', Weight: 185 lbs
    Position: G
    15.0 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 5.9 APG

Othello Hunter (OHST)
    Class: Senior
    Height: 6'8'', Weight: 225 lbs
    Position: F
    9.9 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 0.8 APG

Kosta Koufos (OHST)
    Class: Freshman
    Height: 7'0'', Weight: 265 lbs
    Position: F-C
    14.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 0.5 APG

Shaun Pruitt (ILL)
    Class: Senior
    Height: 6'10'', Weight: 245 lbs
    Position: C
    12.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 0.8 APG

Brian Randle (ILL)
    Class: Senior
    Height: 6'8'', Weight: 220 lbs
    Position: F
    9.4 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 1.4 APG