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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio men's basketball team (2-6) returned to the Convocation Center on Wednesday (Dec. 3) night for a matchup with Maine (0-10). Ten different Bobcats would score in a cohesive team effort to earn the 79-57 victory.
"Our guys have done a really good job of staying positive," Ohio head coach Jeff Boals said. "Our staff's done a really good job of staying positive. We're nowhere near a finished product but today was a step in the right direction."
As a team, Ohio shot 46.5 percent from the field, converting 33 field goals, including six three-pointers. The Bobcats recorded season-highs in rebounds with 44 and assists with 18. Ohio was also proficient from the free-throw line, converting all seven attempts.
The Bobcats were led in scoring by redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons (Columbus, Ohio), who had 17 points, four rebounds and three assists. Freshman guard JJ Kelly (Chambersburg, Pa.) tallied a career high of 14 points against Maine to go along with two blocks and six rebounds. Senior forward Aidan Hadaway (Lafayette, Ga.) recorded his second double-digit rebounding game of the season with a team-leading 11 rebounds to go along with his nine points.
"We know that we can be some of the most physical players in the MAC; me, Aidan) Hadaway, and (Jalen) Breath, so we just wanted to dominate that matchup on the inside," Simmons said.
Points were hard to come by for both teams in a defensive first 10 minutes. With just under 12 minutes to play in the first half, Ohio held a slim 11-8 lead, being led in scoring by Hadaway, who made each of his first three baskets for an early six points.
The Bobcats would begin to build a lead midway through the first half with a 9-0 run that was highlighted by a three from sophomore guard Elijah Elliott (Orlando, Fla.) to take a 21-12 lead. By the end of the run, Ohio led Maine 23-12 with 6:46 to play in the half.
Ohio would continue to find offensive success in the final minutes of the first half, scoring on each of its final three possessions to take a 38-23 lead into the half.
The first half was highlighted by an impressive defensive effort, resulting in the fewest first-half points allowed by Ohio all season.
The Bobcat offense stayed hot going into the second half, scoring on each of its first four possessions, giving them points on seven straight possessions going back to the end of the first half. After four minutes of play in the second half, Ohio led Maine 46-32.
The Bobcats would continue to play consistent Basketball in the second half and build a sizeable lead. With 6:53 to play in the game, redshirt senior forward Jalen Breath (Oklahoma City, Okla.) converted on a three-point play to give Ohio a 22-point lead, its largest of the game so far.
Ohio would continue to build its lead in the game's final minutes, going up by as many as 25 points before securing a 79-57 victory.
The Bobcats will be back in action this Saturday, Dec. 6, when they take on Marshall at the Convocation Center. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN+.
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