COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With 1:19 remaining in last night's men's basketball game against Penn State, Ohio State freshmen center Greg Oden corralled a pass in the low block, drew a foul on Nittany Lion forward Milos Bogetic and promptly threw down a powerful thunder dunk.

That flourish was just one of many powerful displays Oden showcased last night against Penn State.

One week ago, against the same undersized Lion squad, Oden delivered a good performance, but certainly not one that lived up to his billing as the best college center in the past 25 years.

Last night, however, Oden left no doubt in the minds of Penn State's coaches and players when it came to his sheer size and strength on defense.

"We tried to get to the basket and he just clogged up the middle," Lion guard David "Mooch" Jackson said. "That's what he is supposed to do. He made a couple of key blocks for them and allowed them to get out and get transition buckets."

Oden muscled-up against the Lions to the tune of 17 points, 14 rebounds and three blocks.

But the first-year phenom's timing was even more impeccable than his stat-line could ever indicate.

Midway through the second half, as Penn State continued to nag at the Buckeyes and exchange baskets with Ohio State, the 7-footer began to exert control over the paint.

His thunderous put-back dunk off of a Ron Lewis miss tied the game for the last time and sprung the Buckeyes to the victory. Though Oden was not the main offensive contributor during the decisive Ohio State run, his presence on the floor altered the game for the Buckeye shooters.

"[The run] came from Greg and the presence he has inside," Ohio State guard Jamar Butler said. "Everybody collapsed on him, and it opened up the outside."

Though he finished with the three blocks, Oden altered many more shots and forced the Lions to start, and usually end, their offense from the outside.

While his defensive game was as effective as usual, Oden's touches on the offensive end -- nine shot attempts -- were limited. But as long as the wins continue to pile-up his team, Oden is content with his limited opportunities.

"I would like to touch the ball [every time]," Oden said. "But if my teammates get a good shot, I have confidence they'll make those shots.

"[Especially when we're playing Penn State's] zone and it's packed in. They got guys in there just waiting for me. I'm double teamed all the time, and it's always hard when you have two guys on you."

Though only a freshman, Oden changes the outcome even when he doesn't touch the ball.

And when his team needed him the most in the second half, the rookie took control.

"In the first half he was calling for the ball, but they weren't getting [it] to him," Penn State junior Geary Claxton said. "But, in the second half they gave him the ball. He was calling for it, and he was getting shots and 'and ones.' "