PISCATAWAY, N.J. — Duane Washington Jr. scored 17 points and Ohio State closed the first half with a big run to beat No. 15 Rutgers 79-68. 

The Buckeyes used a 22-4 burst to take a 42-30 lead at halftime. 

Ohio State improved to 9-3 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten.

Rutgers lost its third in a row and fell to 7-4, including 3-4 in the conference. 

Trailing by 22, Rutgers got within eight points down the stretch. Jacob Young scored 19 points for the Scarlet Knights.