NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Ohio State wanted to send a message to the NCAA Tournament field. It was Appalachian State's tough luck to be standing in the way.

	Related Links: GameCenter Notes: El-Amin's status unclear after spraining ankle Friday breakdown Video: NCAA Tournament highlights Audio: Ohio State guard Scoonie Penn says NCAA tourney is fresh start Real | Windows Media Audio: Penn credits teammates for his big night Real | Windows Media Audio: Ohio State guard Michael Redd says getting early lead in game was key Real | Windows Media March Mayhem Central NCAA Tournament schedule and results 64 team reports and analyses Check out all the brackets Forum: Will Ohio State go back to the Final Four?
	T O P   N E W S

"It's almost like we were deer in headlights," Appalachian State coach Buzz Peterson said Friday night after the Buckeyes routed the Mountaineers 87-61 in the first round of the South Regional. "We were just startled there for the first few minutes."

The third-seeded Buckeyes scored on 10 of their first 11 possessions, hitting from the inside and outside, while clamping an aggressive defense on the Mountaineers. Add it up and the game was effectively over after about 7½ minutes.

"From the beginning we dictated how this game was going to play out," said Ohio State point guard Scoonie Penn, who scored 23 points by hitting 9-of-11 shots, including 5-of-7 3-pointers.

The Buckeyes (23-6) led 23-7 after 7½ minutes and were never seriously threatened by the Southern Conference champion Mountaineers (23-9). The lead was 21 points at the half and was never below 16 points in the second half.

"The early lead was critical," Buckeyes coach Jim O'Brien said. "It really set the tone. It was obvious to me that once we began playing like we did we got some easy baskets, we were guarding them well and making it hard for them to shoot, and we feed on that. The longer it went the more confident we got."

Ohio State plays the winner of the Arkansas-Miami game in the second round Sunday.

Michael Redd added 21 points for Ohio State, and George Reese had 19. Tyson Patterson led Appalachian State with 15 points, and Rufus Leach with 11.

The Big Ten co-champion Buckeyes, looking for a return to the Final Four, were overpowering early. Penn and Redd hit from outside and Ken Johnson dominated the middle. If the Buckeyes missed a shot they scored off the rebound.

The Mountaineers seemed glued to the floor as Ohio State ran its sets to perfection and hit the open shots.

Ohio State's Boban Savovic grabs the ball and avoids the whammy by Appalachian State's Matt McMahon. (AP)

"I could see them going a long way (in the tournament)," Peterson said. "Guards are key for you in this tournament, and they don't get much better than Scoonie Penn. They made the Final Four last year and I see no reason they can't make it again."

The Buckeyes shot 58 percent (34-of-59), including 9-of-15 on 3-point attempts. The Mountaineers shot just 39 percent.

After some shooting struggles down the stretch of the Big Ten race, it was a relief to O'Brien to see his team, especially Penn, regain the touch.

"I have really felt our best offensive game was yet to come, but having said that, we are running out of time here," O'Brien said. "Scoonie shot exceptionally well in the shoot-around today. I have a lot of confidence in this kid. He's a much better shooter than he's demonstrated all season. I'm just praying we'll come out of this and play like we're capable of playing."

Appalachian State righted itself slightly after Ohio State's early surge, and cut the lead to 27-13 on a 3-pointer. But the Buckeyes answered with an 11-0 run for their largest lead of the game, 25 points at 38-13 with 7:10 left in the half.