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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio men's basketball team defeated Austin Peay, 78-58, in The Convo on Wednesday night (Dec. 18). With the win, Ohio (5-6) moved to 4-0 at home this season. 

Tthe fans always bring the energy. They always bring the juice. You want to match them, and want to play for them. You want to win for them," graduate student guard Shereef Mitchell (Omaha, Neb.) said. "The Convo is a special place. It's a tough place to play in, and we know that. We want to keep it that way."

The Bobcats kicked off their 9-0 opening run with a 3-pointer from senior guard AJ Clayton (Roseville, Ohio). By the first timeout of the game, they jumped out to an eight-point lead that kept growing. Not once in the first half did the Governors (4-7) touch the Bobcats. Their largest lead of the first half came at the fourth timeout, a 19-point spread. 

Ohio's offensive finesse drove its success through the first half of the game. Ohio's quick thinking at the top of the key and in the paint gave itself a few extra points. In the first half alone, Ohio shot 9-for-14 from beyond the arc and 8-for-9 at the line. Also, both Clayton and junior guard Jackson Paveletzke (Kimberly, Wisc.) reached double-digit point totals by the end of the half, with 15 and 12 points each. 

However, the Bobcats' defense also had a large contribution in the win. The Governors were kept to 2-for-11 from 3-point range in the first half. They also hit a scoring drought expanding across more than three minutes toward the end of the half. 

"Our defense was really, really good. With the deflections forced, I think, nine turnovers turned into 19 points in the first half," head coach Jeff Boals said. 

When Ohio came out for the second half, its foot was still on the gas. The clean shooting from the first half carried over, and soon Ohio held over a 20-point lead the rest of the game. Nothing could keep Ohio from the net as it expanded its 3-point presence to maintain its largest continuous lead of the season.    

The Bobcats shot a season-best 12-for-24 (50%) from beyond the arc by the end of the evening, with Clayton knocking five of those himself. 

Clayton also led Ohio in scoring with 22 points, which marked the second time this season he scored more than 20 points. Only twice this season has Clayton not finished a game with 12 or more points. 

"Clayton came out hot tonight. That was really big, just putting the defense on their heels," Paveletzke said. "When you come out hitting shots, it it makes the defense have to adjust. Guys have got to come out more, and then you can attack." 

Paveletzke was the next highest scorer for the Bobcats with his third double-double of the season. He recorded 18 points and 11 assists for his fourth time this season recording 10 or more assists. 

Overall, Ohio shot 26-for-50 (52%) from the field, marking the third time in the past four games it has shot above 50%. It also finished 14-for-19 (73%) from the line. Just once this season has Ohio shot below 70% in free throws. 

Ohio will return to The Convo on December 30 to take on Muskingum. Tip off is set for 7 p.m. and admission is free to those who donate three or more canned goods for the Athens Gives Back initiative. 

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