WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- No. 3 Ohio State relied on a rare commodity to derail Purdues young shooters Tuesday. Experience. LaQuinton Ross finished with 25 points and 12 rebounds, both career-highs, and Shannon Scott added a career-best 18 points to help the Buckeyes pull away for a 78-69 win at Purdue -- a victory that kept Ohio State among the shrinking group of teams that will take a perfect record into 2014. "I thought down the stretch our veterans were as good as they could be," Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. Its an unusual luxury for Ohio State, which has seen a regular parade of underclassmen leave early for the NBA draft. The list includes Greg Oden and Mike Conley to Jared Sullinger and Deshaun Thomas. Things are different this season. The Buckeyes have started the same two seniors and the same three juniors in all 14 games, so when things got tough in Tuesdays Big Ten opener, the older Buckeyes buckled down and came up big every time Ohio State needed a play. Ross and Scott, both juniors, combined for all of the points in a decisive 10-2 second-half run that finally gave Ohio State some breathing room. And, of course, the wily Aaron Craft continually turned Purdue miscues into game-changing moments. Craft finished with seven points, eight rebounds, 10 assists and four steals against a team came into the game with four of the Big Tens top 10 freshman scorers, two of the leagues most dangerous sophomores and a perfect 8-0 record on their home court. "Ten assists and zero turnovers speaks for itself," Purdue coach Matt Painter said after losing to the Buckeyes for the fourth straight time. "He gets eight defensive rebounds, and hes able to affect the game without scoring. There are not a lot of guys who can do that today, especially when theyre 6-foot-2." The combination has the Buckeyes (14-0, 1-0) rolling. Ohio State started the day as one of the nations eight remaining unbeaten teams. It left Mackey Arena with the fifth-longest winning streak in one season in school history and the schools best start since going 24-0 in 2010-11, and the Buckeyes did that on a day they shot 44.6 per cent from the field, went 4 of 22 on 3-pointers and were outrebounded 46-37. Instead, the Buckeyes dug down defensively. Yes, Purdue sophomore A.J. Hammons produced one of the most complete games of his career. He finished with a season-best 18 points, 16 rebounds and four assists, both career highs, and five blocks. Another sophomore, Ronnie Johnson, had 16 points and Johnsons older brother, Terone, finished with 13 points, nine rebounds and five assists. But the Buckeyes suddenly staunch defence still made it tough. Hammons was just 6 of 16 from the field and accounted for four of Purdues 12 turnovers. The Boilermakers shot just 41.8 per cent from the field, were 3 of 14 on 3-pointers and lost for only the second time in seven games -- a telltale sign of how the Buckeyes unflappable veterans will respond to challenges. "Thats something (experience) that we havent had the luxury of having very much at Ohio State," Matta said. "I talk about it with our guys all the time, Youve been through this before. You know we never panicked and theres no drill that you can do in practice to give them experience." Ohio State still showed how much it has learned over the years. After a topsy-turvy first half, in which neither team led by more than four points, and with the Buckeyes top two centres getting into foul trouble defending Hammons, Ohio State managed to find a way out. It made a concerted effort early in the second half to push the ball inside, extending a 34-33 halftime to 44-39. Forty-five seconds later, Terone Johnson tied the score with a 3. Hammons tied it again at 46 on a tip-in with 13:57 left. Then the Buckeyes veterans took over. After using a 6-0 run to finally take a 52-46 lead with 10:35 to go, Scott and Ross went on a personal scoring spree. Each of the juniors scored five points in the decisive 10-2 spurt that pushed the lead to 65-53 with 6:17 remaining -- and this time, it was too much for Purdue to overcome. The Boilermakers couldnt get closer than five the rest of the way. "That might be one of his best games," Matta said when asked about Crafts performance. "I mean, what do you say? His poise, he had great reads on penetration." Pat ODonnell Jersey .m. ET, CBSOPENING LINE — Falcons by 3 1/2RECORD VS. Mike Ditka Jersey . -- Steven Stamkos scored his first goal since returning from a major injury, Ryan Callahan had his first goal with Tampa Bay, and the Lightning beat the Florida Panthers 5-4 on Thursday night. http://www.officialchicagobearsfootball....h-jersey-womens. Chris Heisey connected for his first grand slam and Devin Mesoraco homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs as Cincinnati took advantage of Tampa Bays depleted pitching staff for a 12-4 victory on Sunday. Tarik Cohen Jersey .com) - Marian Gaborik scored his sixth goal in the last four games to help the Los Angeles Kings top the Arizona Coyotes, 4-2, Saturday at Staples Center. Richard Dent Jersey . - Ronda Rousey realizes shes finishing up one of the biggest years for any fighter in the young history of mixed martial arts at UFC 168, and the UFCs bantamweight champion intends to go out on top.SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The San Francisco 49ers are prepared to go forward without star linebacker Aldon Smith for as long as it takes for him to get clean, healthy and improve his life. Smith was placed on the reserve non-football injury list Monday as he enters rehab for substance abuse and begins what team CEO Jed York has termed an indefinite absence. "I am taking a leave of absence to address my health," Smith said through the 49ers. "I am sorry that I have affected my team, my family and the organization. I will do everything in my power to handle this situation the best way possible. I appreciate the support of the 49ers and our fans." The NFL said there is no minimum number of games Smith must miss on the reserve non-football injury list, and he can return when ready. On whether he expects Smith to return this season, coach Jim Harbaugh said only, "theres a process, were going to respect that process." Smith played Sunday and had five tackles just two days after he was arrested and jailed Friday morning on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession. Smith apologized after the 27-7 home loss to the Colts, and now his team moves forward without him heading to St. Louis on Thursday. "Were very supportive of Aldon as we are of all of our players, all of our coaches, our personnel. Always support it in house," Harbaugh said. "Weve hashed through it, now were taking steps and Aldons taking steps. We support him in that." San Francisco didnt immediately announce a corresponding roster move. "We have a pretty good idea what were going to do and well make that announcement," Harbaugh said. Smith had previously been arrested on suspicion of DUI in January 2012 in Miami shortly after the 49ers lost in the NFC championship game. He is expected to remain in the Bay Area for treatment. He could face a suspension from the NFL either later this season or next season, and it is likely given he has had more than one infraction. The NFL would let the legal process play itself out first. Harbaugh said Dan Skuta, Ahmad Brooks and Corey Lemonier will help fill the void left by Smith, who had a franchise-best 19 1/2 sacks last season. Demarcus Dobbs, who was suspended for Week 1 for his own arrest on suspicion of DUI and marijuana possession from last season, also could be in the mix for some packages. "I have confidence in those guys and know theyll do a good job," Harbaugh said. "Go with the guys weve got." Smith, selected seventh overall in the 2011 draft out of Missouri, turns 24 on Wednesday. Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said Smith "never had any problems with that, zero," at school. He said he texted Smith earlier Monday and thought the situation could be turned into something "real positive." "You look at any player whos 22-23 years old and has tremendous success, thats difficult to handle," Pinkel said. "You become veryy, very vulnerable in many, many ways and maybe ways you dont even understand.dddddddddddd" Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke ultimately decided to let Smith play before he entered rehab. "Aldon Smith is taking a leave of absence to address a personal matter," Baalke said in a statement. "The 49ers organization both respects and supports Aldons decision and commends him for taking responsibility for his actions. The long-term well-being of our players is paramount and we will stand by Aldon as he works toward addressing this issue. Due to the private nature of the matter, we will have no further comment." His 49ers teammates were trying their best not to let the situation become a distraction. San Francisco (1-2) has a quick turnaround to face division foe St. Louis on the road Thursday night. "Coach decided to let him play, and he was out there and made some plays," safety Donte Whitner said. "I dont think guys were out there thinking about Aldon being arrested." Earlier this month, Smith and former teammate Delanie Walker were named in a lawsuit filed in Santa Clara County Superior Court by a Northern California man who said he was shot at a party at Smiths house on June 29, 2012. The players charged a $10 admission and $5 per drink, the lawsuit said. Smith and now-Titans tight end Walker, 29 were allegedly intoxicated on Smiths balcony when they fired gunshots in the air while trying to end the party, the lawsuit said. Before the 2012 home opener last September, Smith was the passenger in a car during an accident in Santa Clara County in which the driver swerved to avoid hitting a deer. Smith sustained a cut beneath his right eyebrow. He apologized and insisted he had grown up. Asked about Smith on Monday at Titans headquarters, Walker said he is getting more attention because of his status as one of the best in the NFL at his position. "I pray for him because he is a good kid," Walker said. "Hes just making some bad choices now." Missouri defensive end Kony Ealy, named SEC defensive lineman of the week Monday, considers Smith a mentor and hoped it was all a misunderstanding. "Its hard to see him just get ridiculed like that by outside media," Ealy said. "You cant judge a book by its cover, you dont know what actually happened. Anything could have happened." Notes: CB Nnamdi Asomugha (leg) and LB Patrick Willis (groin) were getting MRI exams Monday, while Harbaugh said TE Vernon Davis was being evaluated after he missed Sundays game with a hamstring injury. ... WR Jon Baldwin, acquired from Kansas City in the trade that sent WR A.J. Jenkins to the Chiefs last month, could be active for the first time Thursday as the 49ers look for more from their receiving corps. They had 13 total catches Sunday. "Thats possible," Harbaugh said. "Hes doing a good job, had a real good week of practice last week." 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