NEW YORK -- The pace is picking up between No. 21 Syracuse and Ohio State, as both teams are forcing each other into mistakes and fast breaks in this high-scoring affair.

Thad Matta's Buckeyes are staying right with a young yet talented opponent, leading 42-34 at halftime, but one of the biggest factors for Syracuse has been the inabliity of freshman point guard Jonny Flynn to get on track in this first half.

Ohio State freshmen Kosta Koufos and Jon Diebler, meanwhile, are two of the biggest reasons why the Buckeyes are staying in front right now, and senior point guard Jamar Butler has done a solid job of taking care of the ball and the game for Matta.

Koufos, for one, has been dominating at the outset, leading both teams with 15 points and three rebounds, but Donte Greene has been almost as good for Syracuse, tallying 12 points and grabbing three boards in 15-plus minutes of action.