COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Even though his team lost, Central Connecticut State coach Howie Dickenman felt it turned a corner.

The Blue Devils stayed within striking distance for most of the game before falling 74-56 to No. 5 Ohio State on Saturday night.

"At some point, good teams get a turning point in their season," said Dickenman, in his 18th season with the Blue Devils (2-6). "We've been preaching to our team that we're getting better, that we're going to be good. I told our kids this was a turning-point game for us."