Men's Basketball: No. 18 Ohio State rides big second half, defeats Minnesota 70-45

Ohio State graduate guard Jamari Wheeler (55) dribbles the ball during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate guard Cedric Russell (2) puts up a layup during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Graduate guard Jamari Wheeler (55) lays the ball in during the Ohio State-Minnesota game on Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Sophomore guard Eugene Brown III (3) drives towards the basket during the Ohio State-Minnesota game on Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State senior forward Justin Ahrens (10) shoots from behind the arc during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

The Buckeyes bench celebrates a three point shot during the Ohio State-Minnesota game on Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State sophomore guard Eugene Brown III (3) celebrates on the bench during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Sophomore forward Zed Key (23) celebrates during the Ohio State-Minnesota game on Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Graduate guard Cedric Russell (2) goes for a layup during the Ohio State-Minnesota game on Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State freshman guard Malaki Branham (22) and graduate guard Jamari Wheeler (55) celebrate mid-court during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State senior forward Justin Ahrens (10) dribbles past the Minnesota defense during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Sophomore guard Eugene Brown III (3) shoots the ball during the Ohio State-Minnesota game on Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

The Buckeye bench celebrates during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Junior forward E.J. Liddell (32) celebrates a basket during the Ohio State-Minnesota game on Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate guard Jimmy Sotos (1) looks for an opening around the Minnesota defense during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Junior forward E.J. Liddell (32) goes for a layup during the Ohio State-Minnesota game on Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Sophomore forward Zed Key (23) wins the tip off during the Ohio State-Minnesota game on Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Ohio State graduate guard Jamari Wheeler (55) shoots from behind the arc during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

Ohio State junior forward E.J. Liddell (32) dribbles the ball during the Ohio State-Minnesota game Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Mackenzie Shanklin | Photo Editor

The Buckeyes sing "Carmen Ohio" after the Ohio State-Minnesota game on Tuesday. Ohio State won 70-45. Credit: Gabe Haferman | Assistant Photo Editor

Graduate guard Jamari Wheeler scored 13 points, as No. 18 Ohio State sealed a 70-45 win over Minnesota Tuesday at the Schottenstein Center.

Wheeler reached double figures for just the third time this season and for the first time since Jan. 13 against then-No. 13 Wisconsin, as the Buckeyes (16-6, 9-4 Big Ten) improved their 2021-22 home record to 11-0 with the win over the Golden Gophers (12-11, 3-11 Big Ten).

Ohio State failed to score for a six-minute, 49-second time span in the first half, while turning it over seven times in that span. The Buckeyes scored a first-half season-low 23 points, trailing by two at the half. 

A jumper from freshman guard Malaki Branham snapped the first-half cold spell, sparking a 23-6 run that spanned from 2:33 to go in the first frame to 14:59 in the second half.

Branham shot the Buckeyes’ first free throws of the game, knocking down 1 of 2 before nailing 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions.

Wheeler got hot in the second half, knocking down each of his first four shot attempts. The Live Oak, Florida, native shot 4-for-5 from the floor and 3-for-4 from beyond the arc in the final frame.

Wheeler and sophomore forward Zed Key combined for 18 of the Buckeyes’ 47 second-half points.

Junior forward E.J. Liddell extended his double-digit scoring stretch to 33 games, logging his sixth double-double of the year with 16 points and 10 rebounds. 

In the second half, Ohio State shot 57.1 percent from the field on 16-for-28.

Minnesota went on a frigid 1-for-11 stretch from the floor in the first half in which Ohio State outscored the Golden Gophers 9-3 in that time. 

The cold spell was snapped by Minnesota freshman center Treyton Thompson’s first 3-pointer since Feb. 2 against then-No. 4 Purdue, sparking a 10-0 Golden Gophers’ run over a four-minute, 56-second span.

The Golden Gophers shot just 33 percent on 10-for-30 from the field in the first half, dropping to 27.3 percent mark in the final 20 minutes.

Minnesota sophomore forward Jamison Battle scored 11 points, reaching double figures for the 20th time this season.

Senior guard Luke Loewe led the Golden Gophers with 12 points.

Ohio State outrebounded Minnesota 36-29.

Graduate guard Cedric Russell knocked down a 3-pointer with 2:56 to go in the second half, passing the 1,500-point scoring mark in his college career.

Ohio State hits the second leg of its three-game home stand, as it hosts Iowa at the Schottenstein Center at 2:30 p.m. on Fox.