Reigning US college basketball champion Florida defeated Ohio State 86-60 here on Saturday in a matchup featuring two big men expected to be future pro stars, Greg Oden and Joakim Noah.
The Gators missed seven of their first 10 shots but hit 10 of their next 16 to jump ahead 38-29 at halftime, then pulled to a 70-47 lead with a 30-7 run in the second half, sealing Ohio State's fate to leave both teams 11-2 this year.
Noah, the son of French tennis legend Yannick Noah, combined with Al Horford, who was coming back from a sprained left ankle, to shut down Oden, the Buckeyes' freshman sensation.
Oden, who averages 15.5 points a game, managed only seven points and six rebounds and spent much of the game in foul trouble. Ohio State, which had not played Florida in 18 years, has not beaten a reigning US champion since 1990.
Many scouts consider Oden to be the likely first pick in next June's National Basketball Association Draft and Noah, one of five returning starters for Florida, is likely to be among the top selections as well.
Noah contributed seven points, eight rebounds and four assists as well as stellar defense on Oden. Horford had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Taurean Green scored 24 points to lead Florida.
In some ways the basketball showdown was only an appetizer for supporters of both schools. Florida and Ohio State's football teams will meet for that sport's US collegiate national title on Jan. 8.
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