D.J. Cooper scored 18 points, including eight during a late first-half stretch, as Ohio University defeated Illinois State 75-57 on Wednesday night.
The Bobcats (6-3) led 18-17 with 5:04 left in the first half after a layup and free throw by Dinma Odiakosa, who paced the Redbirds (7-2) with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
After a jumper by Reggie Keely put Ohio ahead 20-17 with 4:38 remaining, Cooper added a layup 29 seconds later to make it 22-17. Cooper’s 3-pointer made it 25-19 with 3:37 left and he closed the half with another 3-pointer.
The Bobcats began the second half with a 22-7 run to lead 50-30 with 10:13 remaining and led by at least 13 the rest of the way.
Armon Bassett added 14 points and Steven Coleman and Jay Kinney 10 apiece for the Bobcats, who won for the 30th time in their last 31 nonconference home games.
The 18-point loss was the Redbirds worst since losing to Drake 79-49 in the 2008 Missouri Valley Conference championship game.
Creighton 77, Savannah State 62.
OMAHA, Neb. — Creighton opened the game on a 24-6 run and never looked back Wednesday, defeating Savannah State 77-62.
Ethan Wragge had 18 points for the Bluejays (4-5), who improved to 4-0 at home. P’Allen Stinnett had 10 points and a career-high nine rebounds, while Kenny Lawson Jr. (12) and Wayne Runnels (11) also scored in double figures.
Darius Baugh led Savannah State (4-7) with 23 points. Rashad Hassan added 14 and Preston Blackmon had 10.
Creighton led 27-15 and never let the Tigers get closer than 12 points in the second half.
The Bluejays had a huge advantage at the free-throw line (21 of 26) and on 3-pointers (10 for 25). Savannah was just 6 for 9 from the line and 6 for 21 on 3-point attempts.
