March 20, 2010

BUY PHOTOS!

Box Score |  Quotes

Ohio Bobcats vs. Tennessee Volunteers	1st	2nd	Final
Ohio Bobcats (22-15)	27	41	68
Tennessee Volunteers (27-8)	38	45	83
Statistical Leaders
Points:  Tommy Freeman (Ohio) 23  |  J.P. Prince (Tennessee) 18
Rebounds:  DeVaughn Washington (Ohio) 8  |  Wayne Chism/Brian Williams (Tennessee) 12
Assists:  Armon Bassett (Ohio) 6  |  Bobby Maze (Tennessee) 9
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Tommy Freeman scored 23 points behind the strength of six three-pointers, but Ohio, which was the lowest seed to get out of the first round, fell to No. 6-seed Tennessee on Saturday afternoon, 83-68.

DeVaughn Washington (Virginia Beach, Va.) had 16 points and a team-high eight rebounds while D.J. Cooper (Chicago, Ill.) contributed 16 points, six rebounds and four assists.

"We didn't have it," Head Coach John Groce said.  "I think the biggest indicator to me is us going 14 for 26 at the line. That's not us. And the two guards going 4 for 13 at the foul line that are above 80 percent free throw shooters. That's not them. Not to take anything against Tennessee or try to indicate that just that difference alone would have won us the game, because there's certainly other aspects of the game that are involved in the outcome. But that gives me an indication that we just didn't have it.

The Vols took the lead with an 18-2 run that started with 12 minutes left in the first half, turning a two-point deficit into a 14-point lead. Ohio kept firing three-pointers, trying 26 in the game and making 10, but never got any closer than 50-45 on Freeman's (Muncie, Ind.) three-pointer with about 13 minutes to play. 

Each of Saturday's games in Providence matched a double-digit seed against a team from a power conference. But after Saint Mary's knocked off Big East power Villanova, a No. 2 seed and a Final Four participant in 2009, Ohio failed in its attempt to be just the third No. 14 seed to reach the Sweet 16 since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

"It's a great experience, especially being a freshman," Cooper said. "Just makes you more humble, makes you more hungry and makes you know what you have to do for next year, for the guys coming back."

The Bobcats (22-15) cut the deficit to six points midway through the second half before the Vols went on a 10-1 run to put it away. Tennessee also dominated inside, outscoring the Mid-American Conference champions 58-12 in the paint.

The Bobcats earned their underdog status honestly: They were a No. 9 seed in the 12-team league tournament, but they swept through though the MAC's postseason bracket and then dispatched No. 3-seed Georgetown in the NCAA Tournament First Round on Thursday evening, 97-83.

It's been a great feeling, a great ride," Freeman said.  "Everybody doubted us coming into the MAC Tournament. Just the way that our team came together with KVK [Kenneth van Kempen] leading us is just a tribute to all the work he's put in over these past four years. We all kind of came together and played for him and just wanted to get as many games for him as we could. It's just been a great ride. And for everybody that's returning, as D.J. said, it makes us hungrier, and gives us a taste of what the tournament is like, and just makes us want to come back next year"

J.P. Prince scored 18 points and Scotty Hopson had 17 to lead the Vols on Saturday and give them their third Sweet 16 berth in four years. The other starters also contributed with Brian Williams and Wayne Chism grabbing 12 rebounds apiece and Bobby Maze dishing nine assists.

Tennessee (27-8) will play the winner of Sunday's Ohio State-Georgia Tech game in St. Louis. The Vols have never gotten past the third round, including losses to Ohio State and Louisville under Pearl in 2007 and '08.