ATHENS, Ohio -- The Ohio men's basketball team (11-2, 2-0 MAC) returns to action on Friday, Jan. 7 to host MAC foe Kent State (7-6, 2-1 MAC). Tip-off is set for 6:30 p.m. inside the Convocation Center. The Bobcats matchup will be seen nationally on CBS Sports Network with Chris Lewis and Steve Wolf on the call. 

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
• Ohio is coming off of a thrilling 69-63 victory at Akron on Jan. 4.
• Third-year head coach Jeff Boals recorded his 100th career win on Jan 4 at Akron. 
• This is the 151st all-time meeting between the Bobcats and Flashes. 
• Ohio leads the all-time series, 96-54. 
• The Bobcats and Kent State met twice last season, with the teams splitting the two games. The third game that was scheduled for March 2, 2021 was canceled. 
• In their most recent matchup on March 11, 2021 in the MAC Quarterfianls, the Bobcats dominated, defeating Kent State 85-63, starting their magical run through March.  
• The Bobcats are 11-14 against the Flashes since the 2009-10 season.
• Ohio last defeated Kent State at home on Feb. 28, 2020, with the Bobcats winning 76-69. 
• The Bobcats 11-2 record through 13 games is the best start for the Bobcats since the 2011-12 season when Ohio started 12-1 over the same span of games.  
• Mark Sears has been named the MAC Player of the Week three times this season.
• The Bobcats are currently first in the MAC in turnover margin at +4.85. 
• Ohio is ranked 76th in the latest NET rankings released on Jan. 6. 
• Ohio is the highest-ranked MAC school, with Toledo second at 84. 
• Meanwhile. Kent State is ranked 187.
• The Bobcats rank 21st in the country in turnover margin
• Mark Sears ranks first in the MAC in free throw percentage, second in scoring, fourth in steals and fourth in minutes. 
•  Mark Sears is 12 in the country in free throw percentage and 18th in free throws made (63-of-69). 
• The Bobcats are currently 7-0 this season in the Convo. 
• Ohio has registered an impressive 533-176 (.756) all-time record at the Convocation Center, which opened in 1968.

SCOUTING KENT STATE
Kent State enters the matchup with the Bobcats with a 7-6 record and a 2-1 mark in MAC play, after defeating Ball State on Jan. 4. 

As a team, Kent State averages 69.7 points a game, while shooting 42.6 percent from the field, 30.5 percent from three and 80.0 percent from the line. The Flashes average 35.5 rebounds, 12.9 assists and 7.2 steals a game. Kent State also averages 3.9 blocks a game and turn the ball over an average of 12.2 times a game. 

Opponents average 62.5 points and are shooting 39.4 percent from the field, 29.3 percent from three and 68.7 percent from the line. Kent State's opponents also average 33.0 rebounds and 11.1 assists per game, while adding 6.2 steals and 2.7 blocks. Opponents also turn the ball over an average of 14.6 times a game. 

Individually, Sincere Carry averages 16.7 points a game while shooting 39.3 percent from the field, 31.0 percent from three and averages 4.6 rebounds a game. Malique Jacobs adds 11.8 points and is shooting 40.4 percent from the field and averages 6.8 boards. Justyn Hamilton adds 9.7 points and 6.6 boards, while shooting 50.5 percent from the field. 

SCOUTING OHIO
Ohio enters the matchup with Kent State with an 11-2 overall record  and a 2-0 mark in MAC play after defeating Akron, 69-63 on Jan. 4 at Akron. 

The Bobcats average 72.0 points a game, while shooting .424 from the field, .328 from three and .784 from the line. The Bobcats grab 33.8 rebounds a game, while dishing out an average of 13.1 assists and registering 7.9 steals a game. Ohio is averaging 11.0 turnovers a game. 

Meanwhile, opponents are averaging 64.8 points a game, while shooting .438 from the field, .315 from three and .770 from the line. Opponents are averaging 34.4 rebounds, 11.7 assists and 15.8 turnovers a game. 

Individually, Ohio is led by guard Mark Sears who is averaging 19.1 points a game, while shooting .480 from the field, .913 from three and .913 from the line. Forward Jason Carter is adding 14.3 points and 7.1 rebounds a game, while forward Ben Vander Plas is averaging 12.0 points a game and 6.7 rebounds. 6

ALL TIME VS. KENT STATE
This is the 151st all-time meeting between the Bobcats and Flashes. 

Ohio leads the all-time series, 96-54. 

The Bobcats and Kent State met twice last season, with the teams splitting the two games. The third game that was scheduled for March 2, 2021 was canceled. 

In their most recent matchup on March 11, 2021 in the MAC Quarterfianls, the Bobcats dominated, defeating Kent State 85-63, starting their magical run through March.  

The Bobcats are 11-14 against the Flashes since the 2009-10 season.

Ohio last defeated Kent State at home on Feb. 28, 2020, with the Bobcats winning 76-69. 

LAST TIME AGAINST KENT STATE
In their most recent matchup on March 11, 2021 in the MAC Quarterfianls, the Bobcats dominated, defeating Kent State 85-63, starting their magical run through March.  

The 22-point margin of victory was the largest for the Bobcats in the MAC Quarterfinals since the round was moved to a neutral site. The last time Ohio defeated an opponent by double figures in the quarter-finals was in 2016 when the Bobcats defeated Northern Illinois by 17. 

As a team, Ohio shot 58.8 percent from the field, 50 percent from three and were 16-of-24 from the line. The Bobcats out-rebounded Kent State, 33-27, while Ohio scored 40 points in the paint compared to the Flashes 24. 

Jason Preston led the way with 19 points while being a perfect 8-of-8 from the field. He also grabbed four rebounds and dished out four assists. Lunden McDay scored 18 points, going 6-of-9 from the field and 2-of-3 from three. Miles Brown added 11 points, while Dwight Wilson III recorded 10 points and nine boards. Ben Vander Plas added 10 points.

For Kent State, Tervell Beck and Malique Jacobs both scored 16 points, while the Flashes shot 38.5 percent from the field, 22.2 percent from three and were 16-of-20 from the line. 

LAST TIME OUT
Trailing by one with three minutes to go, Ben Vander Plas drained a three and the Ohio defense stepped up over the final two minutes of play to lead the Ohio men's basketball team (11-2, 2-0 MAC) to a thrilling 69-63 victory on the Road at Akron (8-4, 1-1 MAC) Tuesday night inside James A. Rhodes Arena. The victory was head coach Jeff Boals' 100th career victory. 

Overall, Ohio shot 50 percent from the field, 40 percent from three and were 9-of-10 from the line, while Akron shot 39.3 percent from the field, 37 percent from three and were 9-of-17 from the line. Ohio outrebounded Akron, 34-33, while the Bobcats dished out 12 assists to Akron's 11, while both teams turned the ball over 10 times and recorded four steals. 

Individually, Mark Sears led all scorers with 24 points, going 8-of-14 from the field, 2-of-4 from three and 6-of-6 from the line. Sears also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds and dished out five assists in 38 minutes. Jason Carter added 19 points and three rebounds, while Vander Plas added 11 points, six boards and four assists. 

For Akron, Ali Ali scored 22 points, while Mikal Dawson added 14 points and Enrique Freeman snagged 10 boards. 

PROTECT THIS HOUSE
Ohio has registered an impressive 533-176 (.756) all-time record at the Convocation Center, which opened in 1968.

OHIO IN THE NET
Ohio is ranked 76th in the latest NET rankings released on Jan. 6. 

Ohio is the highest-ranked MAC school, with Toledo second at 84. 

Meanwhile. Kent State is ranked 187.

OHIO IN THE NCAA
The Bobcats rank 21st in the country in turnover margin and 82nd in steals per game. 

Mark Sears is 12 in the country in free throw percentage and 18th in free throws made (63-of-69). 

OHIO IN THE MAC 
Mark Sears ranks first in the MAC in free throw percentage, second in scoring, fourth in steals and fourth in minutes. 

Jason Carter is fourth in blocked shots (16) and seventh in rebounding. 

Ben Vander Plas is second in the league in minutes played (35.0).

Meanwhile, Ohio is first in turnover margin (+4.8), second in free throw percentage, third in assist/TO ratio (1.2) and second in steals (7.9). 

SEARS AT THE LINE
Mark Sears continues his solid season at the free throw line. The sophomore is shooting 91.3 percent (63-of-69), which ranks him first in the MAC and 12th in the NCAA in free throw percentage. He also ranks 18th in free throws made. 

Meanwhile, in the last four games, Sears is 33-of-34 from the line, including going 10-of-10 against USC Upstate and Marshall. 

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

In 13 games, Brown is averaging 7.2 points and is shooting .432 from the field, .333 from three and is .824 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 13 games, Carter is averaging 14.3 points and 7.1 rebounds a game. He is also shooting .442 from the field, .263 from three and is 24-of-37 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 13 game, Sears is leading Ohio with 19.1 points per game. He is shooting .480 from the field, .447 from three and .913 from the line. 

He also averages 4.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 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. 

Sears had another 20-point performance on Dec. 15 against Marshall, scoring 24 points in the 75-65 victory. 

Sears set another career-high on Dec. 21 when he scored 33 points against USC Upstate inside the Convo. 

He has been named the MAC Player of the Week three times this season. 

BOALS MARCH TO 100
Third-year head coach Jeff Boals recorded his 100th career win on Jan 4 at Akron.

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 third on the team in scoring with 12.0 points per game. He also averages 6.6 rebounds, while dishing out 2.8 assists a game. Vander Plas is shooting .4215from the field and .324 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 13 games in the green and white, freshman AJ Clayton has made at least one three in nine of those games. 

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

Clayton has scored six points in three games this season - two against SEC opponents and one at Stetson on Dec. 11.

Clayton set a career-high with seven points on Dec. 21 vs. USC Upstate.  

The 17-year old is averaging 3.5 points a game and 10.6 minutes. 

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.  

This season. Schmock is averaging 3.8 points in 14.6 minutes off the bench. 

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 9.64minutes. 

UP NEXT
Up next, the Bobcats stay in Athens when they welcome Bowling Green on Tuesday, Jan. 11. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. inside the Convocation Center and can be seen on ESPN3/+. 

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