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Columbus, Ohio • Deshaun Thomas had 20 points and scored the first and last baskets in a 16-point first-half spurt, and No. 15 Ohio State beat No. 2 Michigan 56-53 on Sunday, probably denying the Wolverines their first No. 1 ranking in more than 20 years.
After Trey Burke, who led the Wolverines (16-1, 3-1 Big Ten) with 15 points, hit a 3-pointer to open the game, the Buckeyes took the lead for good although there were many nervous moments by the finish. Burke had a shot to tie the game with 17 seconds left, but it rattled out.
Lenzelle Smith Jr. and Aaron Craft hit two foul shots each for Ohio State (13-3, 2-2) in the final 12.7 seconds.