Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Kosta Koufos had game highs with 17 points and 12 rebounds as the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Northwestern Wildcats, 62-51, in Big Ten Conference action at Value City Arena.

Also producing a double-double for the Buckeyes (11-3, 2-0 Big Ten) was Jamar Butler who cleared 10 rebounds and handed out a game-high 11 assists, however he also missed all seven of his field goal attempts and was held scoreless in the team's seventh straight win. Evan Turner and Jon Diebler contributed 16 and 15 points, respectively.

The Wildcats (5-6, 0-2), losers of two in a row, were paced by Craig Moore who dropped in 16 points, but shot just 4-of-14 from three-point range on the afternoon. Kevin Coble added 11 points on 4-of-12 from the floor off the bench and Michael Thompson 10 points as he too struggled from the field (3-of-11).

Northwestern made a total of just nine field goals in the first half, converting a mere 4-of-15 out on the perimeter, which left the squad trailing by 12 at the break, 37-25.

In the second half the Wildcats continued to struggle from the field (9-of-30) and behind the three-point line (5-of-17), making it that much easier for OSU to hold on for the 11-point triumph.

The Buckeyes scored the first points of the game and never looked back, surviving a 9-of-16 effort at the free-throw line and 20 turnovers.