Dec. 30, 2010
Final Stats | Quotes
ATHENS, Ohio - Tommy Freeman scored 19 points and D.J. Cooper posted his eighth career double-double as Ohio routed Norfolk State 92-56 on Thursday night.
Freeman's 19 points were his second-most in a game this season as he finished 6-of-9 from the field and 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. His five threes were one short of his career-high and the senior also played an important role defensively with three steals. He now has nine steals over the last three games.
Cooper had 11 points and 10 assists for the Bobcats (7-6), who had their second-highest point total of the season behind a 112-107 four-overtime loss to St. Bonaventure on Dec. 18. They also allowed a season low for points and field goals (18) and tied a season-high with 48 rebounds.
The sophomore has scored in double figures during 11 of the 13 Ohio games this season and is averaging a double-double over the past three games.
After Norfolk State (1-10) scored the opening basket, Ohio used an 8-0 run to pull ahead for good. The Bobcats led by 21 in the first half before taking a 38-23 lead into the break.
"Offensively, we moved the ball and shared the ball," Head Coach John Groce said. "In the first half we had twelve turnovers; I thought we were a little sloppy on the offensive end, but our defense was good. In the second half I challenged our guys to play with seven (turnovers) or less and we played with five in the second half, so we were much better in that regard."
Ohio shot 51.7 percent from the field (30-of-58) while the Spartans shot only 32.1 percent (18-of-56). The Bobcats also held Norfolk State to a season-low for an opponent with the 18 field goals and 56 points. Ohio also registered a season-high 48 rebounds, finishing a +19 on the glass.
Four other players finished in double figures for the Bobcats as T.J. Hall added 14 points, while DeVaughn Washington had 12, Reggie Keely 11 and Ivo Baltic 10.
"One of our points of emphasis after coming back from break was playing off penetration," Freeman said. "We knew we were going to get some open shots if we got to our spots when guys penetrated the lane. We saw that in scouting. I think that guys coming in and doing extra work helped the cause, especially in the second half when they went to the press. The play picked up and led to some wide-open shots for us."
Hall, making his second-consecutive start, finished one point shy of his career high, and also registered a game-high seven rebounds and four assists. Washington, Keely and Asown Sayles all finished with six rebounds for the 'Cats.
David McKinley scored his first points of the season on two three-pointers while Nick Kellogg chipped in with three points, a career-high four rebounds and a career-high tying four assists.
Ohio closes non-conference play with its first game of 2011 when it hosts Robert Morris on Sunday, January 2, at 2 p.m.
