WASHINGTON ? In the first-ever meeting between the two programs, the Ohio men?s basketball team came up short at American Saturday afternoon in the nation?s capital by a final of 64-55.

Averaging just under 10 points per game entering the contest, Ohio?s Sonny Troutman (Indianapolis, Ind.) recorded a season-high 16 points to lead the Bobcat effort. Jeff Halbert (White Bear Lake, Minn.) also added a season-high 14 for Ohio on the strength of four three-point field goals.

?This is a very good team and there?s a reason they?ve won five in a row,? said Bobcat Head Coach Tim O?Shea of American. ?We were right there, we just needed to make a few plays down the stretch.?

With both teams shooting right around 47% from the field, the contest was decided at the free throw line. The Bobcats (3-2) shot a season-low 4-12 at the charity stripe. Conversely, American (5-2) was 11-14 from the line, including a 7-8 performance in the game?s final moments to seal the victory.

Things looked to be going Ohio?s way at the start as American tipped a rebound in the Bobcats? basket to get things started, and a field goal by Leon Williams (Baltimore, Md.) gave Ohio its first lead at 4-2. The tide would turn almost immediately as Jason Thomas nailed two three-pointers to give American a 10-6 lead and an Eagle steal and layup capped an 8-1 run to make it 13-7 at the first media timeout. The Bobcats were able to battle back and tie the contest at 16-16 on a three-pointer by Halbert, but American exploded with a 16-0 run to take command. Ohio was able to make a late push to trim the lead, outscoring the Eagles 8-4 to cut the American advantage to 36-24 as the half came to an end.

The Bobcats struggled out of the gate in the second half, not getting their first bucket until Jeremy Fears? (Joliet, Ill.) jumper fell over three minutes in. American pushed its lead to as many as 17 as a Thomas three-pointer made it 43-26 before the Bobcats started to chip away at the deficit. A steal and break-away dunk by Fears cut the Eagles advantage to 10 at 51-41 and Halbert?s three-pointer capped off an 8-0 Ohio run to trim the lead to seven. Ohio?s Mychal Green (Columbus, Ohio) drew the Bobcats within two points with 3:15 on the clock at 55-53, but American answered with six-straight points in what would prove to be a deciding run. Green?s layup made it 61-55 with 0:51 remaining, but the Eagles would make three free throws to secure the victory, 64-55.

Ohio outscored the Eagles 31-28 in the second half, but early turnovers would prove to be costly as American set the groundwork early by controlling the ball and staying consistent at the free throw line.

The American defense played a hand in the outcome as well, forcing 20 Ohio turnovers and holding the Bobcats to a season-low 55 points.


?We got so far down that I was pleased we didn?t give up and made a nice rally,? said O?Shea. ?We can learn from this game and we can get better because of this game.?

Fears and Green each finished with eight points apiece in a supporting effort for the Bobcats, all in the second half, keying Ohio?s second half surge.

?The month of December is about getting us ready for the Mid-American Conference schedule,? said O?Shea of the Bobcats recent outings. ?This is very typical of what we?ll see in the MAC.?

The Eagles were paced by Thomas, who tied a career-high with 26 points. Andre Ingram added 10 for American, who has now won five games in a row after a 1-2 start.

Ohio will be back in action at home against Duquesne and former Bobcat coach Danny Nee on Saturday, Dec. 18, in a 2 p.m. contest that will be televised by the Ohio Sports Network and also shown on Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh.

For ticket information, please contact the Ohio Athletics Ticket Office at 740-593-1300, toll-free at 800-575-CATS or online by CLICKING HERE.