Craig Moore led the Wildcats with 15 points.

Feb. 13, 2008

EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) - Kosta Koufos scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, Jamar Butler set the school's all-time assist record, and Ohio State beat Northwestern 65-47 for a much-needed victory on Wednesday night.

The defending Big Ten champion Buckeyes (17-8, 8-4) went on a 19-4 run in the second half to give coach Thad Matta his 200th career win.

Butler had 12 points and six assists, giving him 517 - one more than former record holder Kelvin Ransey.

Othello Hunter, who scored 14 points, started the decisive run with a basket down low and a dunk that turned a one-point lead into a 39-34 advantage with 12:40 left. Jon Diebler scored six of his nine points during that stretch, including a 3-pointer that made it 54-38 with just over five minutes remaining. And Evan Turner had five of his 10 during that run.

Craig Moore scored 15 for Northwestern (7-15, 0-11).