COLUMBUS, Ohio — Aaron Craft slashed through the lane for a career-high 21 points on Sunday — more than he had scored in the past three games combined — to lead No. 18 Ohio State to a 68-60 victory over fourth-ranked Michigan State.
The loss crippled the Spartans’ hopes of catching up with top-ranked Indiana, which now leads the Big Ten race by two full games with four remaining.
Deshaun Thomas added 12 of his 14 points in the second half for the Buckeyes (20-7, 10-5), who stand fifth in the conference. Evan Ravenel added 10 points and a crucial block in the final minute.
Freshman Gary Harris had 14 points and Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix each had 12 for the Spartans (22-6, 11-4), who have dropped two in a row after winning 11 of 12.
Also on Sunday:
No. 6 Duke 89
Boston College 68
DURHAM, N.C. — Freshman Rasheed Sulaimon scored a season-high 27 points and Duke (24-3, 11-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) routed Boston College.
No. 7 Michigan 71
Illinois 58
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Trey Burke had 26 points and eight assists to help Michigan (23-4, 10-4 Big Ten) bounce back from a slow start to beat Illinois.
No. 20 Pittsburgh 63
St. John’s 47
NEW YORK — Tray Woodall scored a season-high 25 points, including two huge 3-pointers in the second half, and Pittsburgh (21-7, 9-6 Big East) snapped a two-game losing streak.
No. 25 Notre Dame 62
Cincinnati 41
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Jerian Grant scored 13 points to lead Notre Dame (22-6, 10-5 Big East) to the win.
UCLA 75
USC 59
LOS ANGELES — Jordan Adams scored 20 points, four others scored at least 10 points and UCLA never trailed against USC (12-15, 7-7). The Bruins (20-7, 10-4 Pac-12) moved within a half-game of conference co-leaders No. 12 Arizona and No. 23 Oregon.
