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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio men's basketball team (5-3) returned to action in the Convocation Center, falling 78-72 to the Youngstown State Penguins (6-3) on Wednesday evening (Dec. 6).
Overall, Ohio shot 39.7 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from three and was 15-of-19 from the line, while Youngstown shot 45.9 percent from the field, 28 percent from three and was 15-of-18 from the line. Youngstown State outrebounded Ohio, 42-31, while Ohio recorded eight steals.
Individually, graduate student guard Shereef Mitchell (Omaha, Neb.) led Ohio with 17 points, going 7-of-13 from the field and 1-of-2 from the line and a career-high four steals. Sophomore forward Aidan Hadaway (Lafayette, Ga.) scored a career-high 14 points and had three rebounds, going 6-of-10 from the field. Sophomore guard Elmore James (Cleveland, Ohio) scored 13 points and a career-high 10 rebounds giving him his first double-double of his career. James went 4-of-8 from the field and 5-of-5 from the line. ??Senior guard Jaylin Hunter (Manchester, Conn.) also added 13 points and four assists.
The game started slow for the Bobcats and the Penguins. The Penguins scored first from behind the arc. Hunter opened scoring for the Bobcats with a steal and a dunk. Ohio and Youngstown State continued to keep each other off of the scoreboard, keeping the margin to just a few points.
With 6:49 left in the period, the third media timeout was called and the Bobcats led 17-16. The Bobcats gained their first offensive lead after James and junior forward AJ Clayton (Roseville, Ohio) both went 2-for-2 at the free throw line while Hunter added three-point jumper.
Youngstown State came back offensively and tied the score 26-26 with 3:01 remaining. The Penguins led 31-28 at the half.
At the half, Ohio shot 28.1 percent from the field, 20 percent from three and was 8-for-11 from the line. On the other end of the court, Youngstown State shot 36.4 percent from the field, 29.4 percent from three and was 2-of-3 from the line. Youngstown State outrebounded Ohio 25-19 and both teams recorded four steals.
Youngstown State opened the scoring in the second half, but Ohio responded quickly with a layup by Clayton. With 11:15 remaining, the second media timeout was called for the half and the Penguins led 47-44. Out of the timeout, the Penguins challenged Ohio's defense. Youngstown State gained an eight-point lead, forcing Ohio to call a 30-second timeout.
The Penguins pushed their lead to 12 in the final few minutes. A Bobcat timeout helped Ohio regroup and cut the lead down to six. However, strong free throw shooting from the Penguins was enough to hold off the Bobcats and preserve the lead. Youngstown State would win by a score of 78-72.
For Youngstown State, Brandon Rush had 19 points and six rebounds, while DJ Burns added 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bobcats will be in action in the Convocation Center on Saturday, Dec. 9 for Rufus' Holiday Party and Santa Hat Giveaway to take on the Marshall Thundering Herd. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN+.
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