Neitzel, MSU bounce back

Drew Neitzel flicked his wrist and pumped his fist after finally seeing a 3-pointer go through the net.

It was not just another basket for the preseason All-American, or an ordinary game for No. 11 Michigan State.

Neitzel scored 8 of 13 points in the first half, helping the Spartans start strong and regroup from a humiliating performance with a 66-60 victory over Ohio State on Tuesday night in East Lansing, Mich.

"Yeah, we made some steps in the right direction -- as a team and individuals," Neitzel said with a smile. "I'm not fully up to my potential, but I'll get there. It was a win, and that's all we can ask."

The Spartans (15-2, 3-1 Big Ten) led by as many as 21 points in the first half and held off the Buckeyes in the second in a bounceback game after being held to their lowest point total in more than a half-century in Saturday's 43-36 loss at Iowa.

"It was a big win for us," Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.

Jamar Butler scored 21 points to give Ohio State (12-5, 3-2) a shot to stay in the game with an inspired second half after making just one-third of its shots in the first half. None of Butler's teammates scored more than eight points.

"He's the only one that has been in these battles," Buckeyes coach Thad Matta said. "None of this is new to him, like it is to the other guys. But we do need other guys to step up and play to their ability."

Butler made all 6 of his free throws, extending his streak to an Ohio State-record 31 straight dating to a miss on Dec. 10 against Coppin State. He also became the 43rd player in school history to score 1,000 points and the first Buckeyes guard since Brent Darby reached the milestone during his career from 2001-03.

Clemson 70, N.C. State 54: Terrence Oglesby had four 3-pointers, and host No. 24 Clemson (14-3, 2-1 Atlantic Coast) beat North Carolina (11-5, 0-2).

Oglesby hit three 3-pointers in double overtime to save the Tigers last Saturday night in a 97-85 victory over Florida State. This time, the freshman's long-range touch began a run of 6 consecutive first-half 3s for Clemson that broke things open. Oglesby, Cliff Hammonds and K.C. Rivers each had two baskets in the surge, which turned a 3-point game into a 32-21 lead the Tigers would not give up.

Notre Dame 91, Cincinnati 74: Luke Harangody scored 24 of his 25 points in the second half, and Kyle McAlarney added 22 points as host Notre Dame (13-3, 3-1 Big East) shook off a poor-shooting first half to beat Cincinnati (8-9, 3-2).

The Fighting Irish, coming off their biggest loss in eight seasons under coach Mike Brey, had trailed only a total of 6:13 in 10 home games all season. But the Bearcats led most of the way until the Irish went on a 17-2 run with 16 minutes left in the game to take control.

S. Illinois 80, Evansville 67: Randal Falker scored 16 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished out 5 assists to lead Southern Illinois (8-9, 3-3 Missouri Valley) over host Evansville (5-11, 0-6).

The hot-shooting Salukis opened the game with a 22-2 run and never trailed. SIU shot 77.3 percent in the first half to take a 45-32 lead at the break. Bryan Mullins and Wesley Clemmons had 14 each for SIU, which outrebounded Evansville 27-23. Tony Boyle finished with 10.

Women

Rutgers 57, Georgetown 47: Essence Carson scored 18 points and had 10 rebounds, and No. 5 Rutgers (14-2, 4-0 Big East) held off host Georgetown (10-6, 0-3).

Matee Ajavon and Myia McCurdy each added 11 points for Rutgers, which has only eight healthy players on its roster.

Connecticut 63, Syracuse 59: Maya Moore scored all 13 of her points in the second half and grabbed 17 rebounds to help top-ranked Connecticut (16-0, 4-0 Big East) hold off host Syracuse (14-3, 2-2).

It was the 29th straight regular-season victory for Connecticut, but unlike the Huskies' first 15 games of the season it was a struggle to the end.