McClinton ejected; Canes blow big lead

CORAL GABLES, FLA. -- A slap to the face was just what struggling Ohio State needed.

The contact during a scrum Tuesday night prompted the ejection of Miami scoring leader Jack McClinton, and the Buckeyes went on to erase a 14-point second-half deficit and beat the 21st-ranked Hurricanes 73-68.

Sophomore Jon Diebler scored a career-high 20 points and Evan Turner had 19 for the Buckeyes (4-0), who won for only the second time in seven games in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.

The Hurricanes (4-2) fell to 0-3 in the ACC-Big Ten series. They led 36-21 late in the first half and 38-24 early in the second but sorely missed McClinton.

The senior guard was ejected for a flagrant foul midway through the first half after he took a swipe with the palm of his hand at Anthony Crater, brushing his face. The contact came almost immediately after Crater hit McClinton in the face while guarding him.

Crater fell briefly to his knees in pain but remained in the game. The officials consulted a TV replay, then ejected McClinton.

"Obviously, losing Jack hurt," Miami coach Frank Haith said. "In those situations where there's jawing back and forth, there's got to be something both ways. I don't know what happened, but it's always the second guy that gets caught."

The Hurricanes were already without reserve guard Eddie Rios, suspended indefinitely Tuesday for a violation of team rules.

OHIO STATE 73, NO. 21 MIAMI 68

Ohio State (4-0): Turner 6-14 6-8 19, Lighty 5-12 1-2 11, Lauderdale 3-3 0-2 6, Simmons 2-6 2-3 7, Diebler 6-15 2-3 20, Crater 1-1 2-2 5, Madsen 0-1 0-0 0, Mullens 2-6 1-4 5, Buford 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 25-60 14-24 73.

Miami (4-2): McGowan 2-8 6-8 10, Collins 4-5 0-5 8, Hurdle 5-14 2-3 14, Dews 2-12 0-0 4, McClinton 4-6 0-0 12, Graham 2-4 3-3 7, Thomas 0-0 0-0 0, Jones 1-1 2-2 4, Asbury 3-9 3-4 9. Totals 23-59 16-25 68.

Halftime--Miami 36-22. Three-point goals--Ohio St. 9-25 (Diebler 6-12, Turner 1-1, Crater 1-1, Simmons 1-4, Buford 0-1, Lighty 0-6), Miami 6-23 (McClinton 4-4, Hurdle 2-10, Asbury 0-2, McGowan 0-2, Dews 0-5). Fouled Out--None. Rebounds--Ohio St. 34 (Mullens 9), Miami 49 (McGowan 12). Assists--Ohio St. 13 (Turner 4), Miami 9 (Hurdle 3). Total Fouls--Ohio St. 20, Miami 17. Technical--McClinton. A--5,870.