Jan. 27, 2010
Final Stats
DEKALB, Ill.- Though the Convocation Center in Dekalb, Ill., is not home for the Bobcats, the team looked comfortable during a 99-84 win over the Northern Illinois Huskies Wednesday night. Freshman D.J. Cooper scored a career-high 29 points in the game and Ohio protected the ball very well, committing a season-low six turnovers in the victory. Armon Bassett scored 23 pointsâ€"making Wednesday’s game the fourth time this season he has scored 20 or moreâ€"and tied a career-high with six assists. Forwards Reggie Keely (University Heights, Ohio) and Kenneth van Kempen added 14 and 11 points, respectively, in an impressive offensive game by Ohio that saw Northern Illinois yield a season-high in points to the visiting Bobcats. Every Ohio starter scored in double figures Wednesday, as Tommy Freeman (Muncie, Ind.) added 13 points of his own.
Northern Illinois got on the board first as Xavier Silas hit a 12-footer over the outstretched Bobcat defense to take a 2-0 lead. He then hit a corner three-pointer on the next possession to help the host Huskies leap out to a 5-0 advantage, a run which was eventually cut short by Cooper’s three-pointer seconds later.
Silas carried the Huskies out to an early 13-5 lead and was firing on all cylinders early. He continued his hot shooting and eventually ended up scoring Northern Illinois’ first 15 points.
The ‘Cats (11-9, 2-4 Mid-American Conference) battled back from the early deficit, as a Bassett (Terre Haute, Ind.) three-pointer with 12 minutes remaining in the first half gave the Green and White its first lead at 17-15.
Cooper (Chicago, Ill.) jumped in a Huskie passing line to grab a steal and a fast-break bucket, putting Ohio up by five at 25-20. Thanks to some solid defensive play and an effective half-court offense, the Bobcats jumped out to a 30-23 lead with just over six minutes remaining in the first frame.
The Huskies managed to retake the lead when Silas hit two free throws to put them ahead 36-35. Ohio’s Adetunji Adedipe (Orange Village, Ohio) came up big near the end of the half by putting together an old-fashioned three point play, as he made a layup through contact by Darion Anderson and sank the ensuing free throw. The Bobcats took a 40-38 lead into halftime on the strength of 47 percent shooting from the field, including a 6-12 mark from three-point range.
Cooper and Bassett led the ‘Cats through the first 20 minutes, scoring 15 and 12 points, respectively. Van Kempen (Weert, Netherlands) pulled down four rebounds in the first frame.
Both teams hit the ground running to begin the second half as Lee Fisher slammed home a dunk on a 3-on-1 fast-break to start things off for the Huskies, knotting the game up at 40. Bassett then found Cooper streaking down the floor for a fast-break three just seconds later, putting the ‘Cats back on top.
Ohio kept the lead for much of the second half, but it was not for a lack of pressure on the part of the host Huskies. Every time one team scored, the other seemed to answer back almost immediately. The Bobcats grabbed a 66-63 lead with nine minutes remaining on a three-pointer by Bassett, his third of the evening. The junior guard then came up with a big three-point play a few seconds later, hitting a contested layup and sinking the free throw.
Cooper drew in the defense and then fed Asown Sayles (McKeesport, Pa.) under the basket for an easy lay-in, putting the ‘Cats up 76-68 and forcing the Huskies to take a timeout.
The Bobcats managed to keep the Huskies at bay for the remainder of the contest, taking good care of the ball and making the most of their opportunities at the free throw line. Ohio went 27-36 from the charity stripe during the game.
Silas led the Huskies (9-9, 4-2 MAC) with 31 points on the night. Mike Dinunno had a solid day as well, adding 16 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Ohio will next be in action when it hosts Ball State at 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 31. Be sure to come to the Convocation Center early as the doors will open at 11 a.m. for the Ohio Basketball Home Improvement Fair.
