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ATHENS, Ohio – The Ohio men's basketball team (9-7, 4-1 MAC) returned to the Convocation Center Tuesday night (Jan. 6) for a matchup with Mid-American Conference opponent UMass (9-7, 0-4 MAC). A good shooting night led to the Bobcats' fourth-straight victory as they defeated the Minutemen, 86-83.
"I think the league from top to bottom is the best, I think, since I've been here," Ohio head coach Jeff Boals said. "Home or away, you have to bring it. It doesn't matter who you're playing.Our guys came in with the right mindset."
Ohio's offense was led by 12 total threes on 51.7 percent shooting from the field. 19 total assists set up a good shooting night, while a good defensive performance kept the Bobcats in the game with 11 steals and 12 total turnovers.
Redshirt junior forward Javan Simmons (Columbus, Ohio) led the Bobcats as he recorded a game-high 20 points, including his 1,000th career point. Simmons is the first Bobcat to achieve the 1,000-point mark since Jackson Paveletzke at the end of last season. Simmons also added five rebounds in the win.
"For me to even reach that goal, like I didn't reach it in high school, so for me to reach that goal in college, that just shows the development that I've had," Simmons said. "I'm grateful for my teammates; they embraced me as soon as I came in here."
Redshirt freshman guard Jesse Burris (Delaware, Ohio) had a career night, scoring a career-best 13 points thanks to three makes from beyond the arc in the first half. Freshman guard JJ Kelly (Chambersburg, Pa.) scored 14 against UMass after a clutch 12 points in the second half. Senior guard Ajay Sheldon (Dublin, Ohio) was the second Bobcat to make three three-pointers in the game as he recorded 13 points and two assists. Senior guard Paveletzke (Kimberly, Wis.) added a double double, scoring 10 points and dishing out 10 assists.
The Bobcats took their first lead of the game when senior forward Aidan Hadaway (Lafayette, Ga.) hit a three-pointer to put the Bobcats up 10-9. Coming off the bench, Burris was a big part of the early Ohio lead, making two threes in the game's first six minutes to take a 17-13 lead into the game's first media timeout.
Effective shooting, especially from three, remained a theme throughout the first half. Five of the team's first eight made field goals were from three, with three of them coming by way of Burris. With eight minutes to play in the half, the Bobcats were on top 26-20.
The Bobcats would extend their lead to double digits with, you guessed it, another three-point basket. From way beyond the arc, Sheldon hit a three to make the lead 33-23 with time winding down in the half.
Neither Burris nor Simmons could be slowed down in the game's first half. Burris would make his fifth field goal for a career-high 13 points after just 12 minutes of play. Simmons led the team with 16 points, making seven of his eight field goal attempts to take a lead into the locker room.
At halftime, the Bobcats led 48-41 after an offensive outburst.
Ohio's fast-paced offense didn't slow down to start the second half. The Bobcats made four of their first five baskets to start the period, with three of them coming off assists.
A UMass run to cut the Ohio led to just three points was stopped by a four-point play by senior guard Dior Conners (Columbus, Ohio) after a three and a foul to put the Bobcats back out in front by seven.
As the clock ticked under 10 minutes, the Minutemen retained the lead for the first time since the first half, when an extended run would put them in front 70-66.
Ohio fought down the stretch to eventually regain the lead when Kelly made a corner three with just over five minutes to play to put the Bobcats in front 73-72. On the next drive, Ohio would continue an impressive scoring run when Sheldon secured all three free throws after being fouled beyond the arc.
With under three to play, the Bobcats and Minutemen were in a tight contest with Ohio leading 80-78, setting up an exhilarating finish.
The teams would trade baskets until Pavaletzke converted two free throws to take an 84-82 lead with under a minute to play. A defensive stop on the following drive gave the Bobcats a chance to take a two-score lead at the free-throw line. Once again, Pavaletzke delivered, making both shots to give the Bobcats an 86-82 lead.
Good free-throw shooting in the game's final minute was enough for the Bobcats to leave the Convo with their fourth-straight win, an 86-83 victory to move to 3-1 in the MAC.
Ohio will return to action this Saturday, Jan. 10 when the Bobcats host Buffalo. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN+.
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