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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Ohio men's basketball team (1-6) were unable to overcome a quick start to the second half from Loyola Marymount (7-1), falling 70-58, at the 2025 Geico Sunshine Slam inside the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, Fla. 

Overall, Ohio shot 31 percent from the floor, 28 percent from three and 59 percent from the line, while LMU shot 41 percent from the field, 23 percent from three and 71 percent from the line. LMU outrebounded the Bobcats, 47-38, while Ohio recorded 12 steals to LMU's 11 and forced 16 turnovers. 

Individually, senior forward Aidan Hadaway (Lafayette, Ga.) led Ohio with 12 points and five rebounds, while senior guard Jackson Paveletzke (Kimberly, Wis.) added 10 points and six rebounds. Redshirt junior Javan Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) added nine points, while sophomore Elijah Elliott (Orlando, Fla.) led the Bobcats with eight rebounds. 

Ohio opened the game with the first points after Hadaway converted on a three-point play early. The two teams traded baskets before LMU took an 8-5 lead on a contested jumper headed into the first media timeout. Out of the break, a free throw and a three from Hadaway put the Bobcats back on top, before LMU tied the game at 12-12 going into the under-12 media timeout. Out of the break, back-to-back threes from senior guard Ajay Sheldon (Dublin, Ohio) and freshman guard JJ Kelly (Chambersburg, Pa.) put the Bobcats up three, before LMU capitalized on free throws to take a one-point lead with 7:43 remaining in the half. 

Out of the break, threes from Hadaway and Elliott put the Bobcats up four, before LMU cut the lead to two entering the final media timeout of the half. After LMU tied it up with free throws, free throws from Kelly, Hadaway and Paveletzke put Ohio up three, before the Lions cut the deficit to one with more free throws, sending the game to the half with the Bobcats leading, 32-31.

At the break, Ohio shot 30 percent from the field, 33 percent from three and were 9-of-14 from the line, while LMU shot 33 percent from the field, six percent from three and were 6-of-8 from the line. Both teams grabbed 25 rebounds, while Ohio dished out four assists and had four steals. 

Hadaway led Ohio at the half with 10 points and four rebounds, while Kelly added seven and Elliott with a team-high six rebounds. 

A three from senior guard Dior Conners (Columbus, Ohio) opened the half, before LMU took a one-point lead. After Paveletzke tied the game at 36-36, a jumper from LMU put them up two going into the first media timeout. Out of the break, a jumper from Paveletzke cut the deficit to one, however, LMU went on an 8-0 run to take a 47-38 lead, forcing Ohio to call a timeout with 14:04 left in the game. After LMU went up 15, a three from Sheldon and free throws from Elliott cut the deficit to 10 with 12:08 to go in the game. 

The Bobcats kept battling, but were unable to overcome the double-digit deficit, falling 70-58.

Up next, the Bobcats are back in Athens on Wednesday, Dec. 3 to take on Maine. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. ET inside the Convocation Center and can be seen on ESPN+. 

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