Ohio State's Evan Turner (21) slam dunks the ball over Penn State's Tim Frazier, left, during the first half an NCAA college basketball game in State College, Pa., Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010. (Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Nothing seems to stop Ohio State’s Evan Turner. Not even a cold start.

Turner overcame shooting 1-for-7 in the first half, and scored eight straight points for the Buckeyes (22-7, 12-4 Big Ten) after the Nittany Lions of Penn State had cut a 17-point lead to two with 5:15 left. The Buckeyes then cruised to a 75-67 win in Happy Valley.

“When you start making points, you start getting more confident about it and that was it,” Turner said about his cold start. “I felt like the shots I missed should have gone in and it was no problem.”

David Lighty scored 18, including an open 3 from the left wing that put the Buckeyes up 49-32 with 13:50 left before Penn State answered with three straight 3s.

The Nittany Lions (10-17, 2-13) got within two after a three-point play off a layup with 5:15 to go in the second half. The home crowed then erupted into a frenzy as the unlikely upset almost became a reality. Jackson finished with 13 points and six rebounds, with Talor Battle had a team-high 22.

With the regular season winding down, every game is a must-win for the Buckeyes in a tight Big Ten race. They entered Wednesday tied with Michigan State for second in the conference, a half-game back of Purdue.

As usual, Battle was at his do-everything best, the only Nittany Lion to get consistent penetration in the lane. Possessing a quick first step, it was easy to see why Battle (19.0 points) is second in the conference in scoring behind Turner (19.5 points).

William Buford assumed the scoring load in the first half with 10 points, while Turner went cold from the field. The Buckeyes went into the locker room at the half up just 30-26 after Penn State’s Tim Frazier threw in a layup after a scramble for a loose ball just before the buzzer.

Matta wasn’t happy with his team in the locker room. Asked if he urged them to play harder, Matta responded: “That would be an understatement.”

The Buckeyes host Michigan on Saturday while Penn State will play Northwestern on Sunday.