Columbus, OH -- (Sports Network) - Jamar Butler racked up 21 points and 10 assists to lead the top-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes to an 84-66 victory over the eighth-seeded UNC-Asheville Bulldogs in the first round of the NIT.

Othello Hunter posted 16 points and Kosta Koufos was close behind with 15 points for Ohio State (20-13), which will take on either New Mexico or California in the next round.

Reid Augst tallied 20 points in the loss for UNC-Asheville (23-10), and Bryan Smithson added 17 points. As for Kenny George, the team's 7-foot-7 center, he finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

The game was close early on, but Ohio State closed out the first half with a 16-7 run to grab a 45-35 advantage at intermission.

A 15-7 run in the second half put the game out of reach for the Buckeyes.

Ohio State head coach has now led his teams to at least 20 wins in eight consecutive seasons.