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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio men's basketball team (10-7, 4-1 MAC) entered the Convocation Center Saturday (Jan. 10) on a four-game winning streak, looking to make it five against a formidable conference opponent, Buffalo (13-3, 3-1 MAC). After a second half that saw the Bobcats outscore the Bulls 47-33, Ohio would come away with a 91-80 victory.
"That's a really good basketball team we just beat, I don't think they've been behind the majority of the season," Ohio head coach Jeff Boals said. "They put so much pressure on you with their shot making and their guard play that you have to always be kind of on alert. I thought the first half, we didn't really do that. The second half was much, much better. The awareness was there, the communication was there, and we found a way to win."
Ohio shot 59.6 percent from the field with 34 made field goals, six of which were from three. The Bobcats out-rebounded Buffalo 39-26 while also forcing 11 turnovers on the defensive end, 10 of which came in the second half. Ohio moved the ball well against Buffalo, scoring 15 baskets off assists.
Senior forward Aidan Hadaway (Lafayette, Ga.) led the Bobcats with a double-double, including 27 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Jackson Paveletzke (Kimberly, Wisc.) was also impressive, scoring 23 to aid another impressive shooting night for the Bobcats. Paveletzke was also impressive in creating scoring chances for his teammates, tallying eight assists. Three other Bobcats scored in double figures with freshman guard JJ Kelly (Chambersburg, Pa.) and redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) each going for 13 and senior guard Ajay Sheldon (Dublin, Ohio) going for 10.
"At the end of the day, the offense looks good if you make shots, but really it's all about guys stepping up and shooting with confidence," Paveletzke said.
Hadaway got the Bobcats started with back-to-back buckets to give the Bobcats a 4-0 lead in the game's first minute. A consistent team effort would help Ohio extend its lead to 9-4, with three different Bobcats contributing to the scoring.
The Bobcats and the Bulls would trade baskets for a majority of the opening minutes of the first half after an early Ohio lead. Buffalo would take its first lead of the game with under 12 minutes to play at 20-17, but Ohio would respond.
Facing its first deficit of the day, Ohio would score on five-straight possessions but was still unable to overtake Buffalo, which was shooting equally as well.
An 8-0 run, including a three by Hadaway and a three by Sheldon, would bring the Bobcats right back in it late in the half after facing what was once a 10-point deficit. Hadaway had 17 of the Bobcats' points as they trailed 36-34 with under five to play.
Ohio would tie the game at 38 when Hadaway made yet another basket. Despite battling all the way back from a double-digit deficit, the Bobcats were unable to retake the lead in the first half and would trail 47-44 at the break.
The Bobcats were consistent on both ends of the floor to start the second half. After forcing two turnovers and a couple of clean offensive possessions, Ohio was right back in the lead at 51-49 thanks to a two-point jumper by Kelly.
Hadaway remained on fire in the second half, making back-to-back threes to push Ohio even further out in front. After making four-straight buckets, the Bobcats' lead was 60-53, and Buffalo was forced to take a timeout.
The early offensive outburst didn't slow down for Ohio. Kelly scored seven straight points, including two emphatic dunks and an impressive and-one play under the basket to give the Bobcats a 12-point lead.
Kelly would only start what would be another impressive scoring run for the Bobcats. Over the course of nearly three minutes, Ohio had gone on a 10-0 run, the longest of the game. After trailing by three at halftime, the Bobcats led by 17 points midway through the second half.
After building a big lead, it was the Bobcat defense that kept the team in the game. 10 forced second-half turnovers would largely help make it a dominant half for Ohio.
In the half's final 10 minutes, the Bobcats continued to score consistently while playing great defense. Free-throw shooting was particularly strong for Ohio to keep the lead as they made 13 of 15 in the second half to secure the victory.
A big second half would lead to a commanding 91-80 win by the Bobcats in front of their home fans.
Next up, the Bobcats will be on the road to take on Toledo this Tuesday, Jan. 13. That game will tip off at 7 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN+.
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