EVANSTON, Ill. -- - Brandon Noel scored 29 points on 13-for-15 shooting and Ohio State won its Big Ten opener with an 86-82 victory over Northwestern on Saturday.

Ohio State (7-1, 1-0) used a 18-7 surge in the second half to take a 64-61 lead with 8:41 left before Northwestern's Arrinten Page tied it with a 3-pointer. Noel then scored the next four points on two free throws and a layup. The Buckeyes later pushed the advantage to 81-73 with 2:10 remaining.

The Wildcats pulled to 82-81 with 21 seconds to go before the Buckeyes sealed it from the free-throw line.

Bruce Thornton added 17 points and 10 assists for Ohio State, which shot 57% (35 of 61) from the floor. Amare Bynum chipped in with 11 points and Devin Royal scored 10.

Nick Martinelli scored 32 points to go with eight

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