ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio men's basketball (6-2) returns to action on Saturday, Dec. 11 when the Bobcats head to DeLand, Fla. to take on Stetson. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. inside the Edmonds Center. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. 

The Bobcats' matchup can also be heard on the Ohio Sports Network from Learfield. Russ Eisenstein returns for his 14th season as the "Voice of the Bobcats" and will be joined by Ohio alum Rob Cornelius, who has been a part of the broadcasts for two decades. WXTQ (Power 105) in Athens returns as the 11-station network's flagship.  

STORYLINES
• This is the second all-time meeting between Ohio and Stetson
• The Bobcats hold a 1-0 advantage over the Hatters. 
• Ohio and Stetson's only meeting occurred on Dec. 2, 1979 with Ohio winnings, 98-95 at Stetson.  
• Ohio has had at least four score in double figures five times in eight games, including having five score in two games. 
• The Bobcats are currently first in the MAC in turnover margin at +5.1. 
• The first NET report was released on Monday, with the Bobcats coming in at 81. 
• Ohio records the highest NET ranking of the MAC schools. 
• Freshman AJ Clayton has scored six points in two games this season - both against SEC opponents. 
• Miles Brown set a career-high with 19 points on Nov. 26 against Concordia. 
• Ohio opened the season with victories over Belmont and Cleveland State, two teams that were selected to win their respective conferences. 
• Mark Sears was named the MAC Player of the Week after he opened the first week of the season averaging 21.0 points per game. 
• Third-year head coach Jeff Boals currently sits with 95 career wins. 
• Ohio was selected to finish 2nd in this year's MAC Coaches Preseason Poll. The Bobcats did not earn any first place votes. 
• Ben Vander Plas earned a spot on the Preseason All-MAC First Team
• Jason Carter earned a spot on the Preseason All-MAC Second Team. 

SCOUTING STETSON
Stetson is 2-5 overall after falling to FIU on Dec. 4, 72-65.  The Hatters have posted victories over Florida Memorial and Lamar. 

Stetson averages 63.9 points a game, while shooting 41.9 percent form the field, 30.7 percent form three and 66.7 percent from the line. The Hatters also average 33.7 rebounds a game to go along with 13.6 assists, 7.0 steals and 2.0 blocks a game. Stetson also averages 14.0 turnovers a game. 

Meanwhile, Opponents average 71.1 points a game, while shooting 47.5 percent from the field 36.5 percent from three and 67.9 percent from the line. Opponents average 33.6 rebounds a game to go along with 15.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 1.3 blocks a game. Opponents also average 11.1 turnovers a game. 

Individually, Rob Perry averages 13.6 points a game and is shooting .347 from the field and 78.3 percent from the line. He also adds a team-leading 6.6 boards a game. Chase Johnston adds 13 points a game to go along with 3.1 rebounds while shooting 42.5 percent from the field. 

SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio enters the matchup with Stetson with a 6-2 record after defeating St. Francis, 78-75 on Dec. 4 inside the Convo. 

The Bobcats average 74.1 points a game, while shooting .425 from the field, .353 from three and .740 from the line. The Bobcats grab 32.3 rebounds a game, while dishing out an average of 14.8 assists and registering 8.5 steals a game. Ohio is averaging 10.6 turnovers a game. 

Meanwhile, opponents are averaging 69.0 points a game, while shooting .478 from the field, .306 from three and .800 from the line. Opponents are averaging 34.5 rebounds, 12.7 assists and 15.7 turnovers a game. 

Individually, Ohio is led by guard Mark Sears who is averaging 16.6 points a game, while shooting .444 from the field, .478 from three and .839 from the line. Forward Jason Carter is adding 13.6 points and 7.5 rebounds a game, while forward Ben Vander Plas is averaging 14.4 points a game and 6.4 rebounds. Sears is first in the MAC in steals (16), followed by Carter in second with 15. 

ALL TIME VS. STETSON
This is the second all-time meeting between Ohio and Stetson

The Bobcats hold a 1-0 advantage over the Hatters. 

Ohio and Stetson's only meeting occurred on Dec. 2, 1979 with Ohio winnings, 98-95 at Stetson.  

LAST TIME AGAINST STETSON
Ohio and Stetson's only meeting occurred on Dec. 2, 1979 with Ohio winnings, 98-95 at Stetson.  

LAST TIME OUT
Despite having a 12-point lead with just under five minutes to go, the Ohio men's basketball team (6-2) was able to hold off a St. Francis (3-4) comeback, downing the Red Flash, 78-75, inside the Convocation Center. 

Ohio was led by sophomore guard Mark Sears (Muscle Shoals, Ala.) who finished with 24 points, eight rebounds and five assists in 38 minutes. Redshirt senior forward Ben Vander Plas (Ripon, Wis.) added 13 points, while fifth year forward Jason Carter (Johnstown, Ohio) and junior guard Miles Brown (Rochester, N.Y.) added 10 points each, with Carter grabbing six boards and Brown dishing out three assists. 

Overall, Ohio shot 53.6 percent from the field, 39.1 percent from three and were 9-of-14 from the line. Meanwhile, St. Francis shot 50 percent from the field, 23.1 percent from three and hit 16-of-17 free throws. Ohio outrebounded SFU, 31-27, while the Bobcats dished out 19 assists to SFU's 15. Unfortunately, the Bobcats committed 20 turnovers and St. Francis capitalized, scoring 20 points off those turnovers. 

For St. Francis, the Red Flash had five score in double figures and were led by Myles Thompson who finished with 19 points. Maxwell Land finished with 15 points and three rebounds, while Josh Cohen finished with 14 points and five boards. 

OHIO IN THE NET
The first NET report was released on Monday, with the Bobcats coming in at 81. 

Ohio records the highest NET ranking of the MAC schools. 

OHIO IN THE NCAA
The Bobcats rank 21st in the country in turnover margin and 70th in steals per game. 

MILES STEPPING UP
Junior guard Miles Brown is stepping up in his new starting role. 

In eight games, Brown is averaging 8.8 points and is shooting .490 from the field, .375 from three and is .800 from the line. 

Brown scored a career-high 19 points on Nov. 26 against Concordia.

IT'S LIKE HE NEVER LEFT
In his first game back in Athens, Jason Carter was back to his old self. 

Carter registered his first double double of the season, scoring 20 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the victory over Belmont. 

After eight games, Carter is averaging 13.6 points and 7.5 rebounds a game. He is also shooting .434 from the field, .269 from three and is 10-of-17 from the line. 

He also has two double-doubles early on this season. 

SEARS LEADING THE WAY
Since taking over point guard duties at the start of the season, Sears has quickly proven that he belongs. 

Over eight game, Sears is leading Ohio with 16.6 points per game. He is shooting .444 from the field, .478 from three and .839 from the line. 

He also averages 4.1 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 2.0 steals a game. 

After opening the season with a 27-point performance against Belmont, Sears also added a 24-point game against St. Francis on Dec. 4, where he grabbed a career-high eight rebounds. 

BOALS MARCH TO 100
Third-year head coach Jeff Boals currently sits with 95 career victories. 

BVP STILL STEADY
Ben Vander Plas picked up right where he left on in 2021-22 on Nov. 9. 

The forward scored 19 points and grabbed six boards in Ohio's win against Belmont. He also tied a career-high, dishing out seven assists. 

BVP added another 19-point performance against Kentucky. 

BVP is currently second on the team in scoring with 14.4 points per game. He also averages 6.4 rebounds, while dishing out 3.0 assists a game. Vander Plas is shooting .489 from the field and .426 from three. 

BVP also made a splash on Dec. 1 at LSU. With the Bobcats trailing entering the second, Vander Plas hit three-straight threes for Ohio, helping tie the game early in the second half. He finished the game with 12 points. 

CLAYTON FOR THREE
In his first seven games in the green and white, freshman AJ Clayton has made at least one three in six of those games. 

Clayton recorded his first two-point basket on Nov. 26 against Concordia. 

Clayton has scored six points in two games this season - both against SEC opponents. 

The 17-year old is averaging 3.8 points a game and 11.4 minutes. 

EZUMA MAKES HIS DEBUT
Freshman IJ Ezuma made his collegiate debut on Monday, Nov. 22 against Mount St. Mary's. 

The forward out of Hargrave played six minutes in his debut. 

Ezuma recorded his first career field goal on Nov. 26 against Concordia. 

SCHMOCK SHOWS OUT
Senior transfer guard Tommy Schmock has a career day on Nov. 26 against Concordia, scoring 11 points and going from 3-of-7 from three. 

Against LSU, Schmock snagged a career-high three steals.  

TOWNS OFF THE BENCH
Sophomore forward Sam Towns made a mark on Nov. 13 at Cleveland State. 

Off the bench, Towns scored five points, hit a three, while also grabbed a career-high six rebounds and dished out five assists. 

So far off the bench, Towns is averaging 2.3  points and 9.9 minutes. 

UP NEXT
Up next, the Bobcats are back in Athens on Dec. 15 when the Bobcats host rival Marshall. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. inside the Convocation Center and can be seen on ESPN3/+. 

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