 OHIO 65, MARSHALL 64 After Ohio (19-15) found itself down by three at halftime, 36-33, the Bobcats rallied out of the break to take their first lead. Following 13 lead changes, OU was able to hang on for the victory.
DeVaughn Washington led Ohio with 17 points and six rebounds, connecting on 50 percent of his shots (8-of-16). Reggie Keely added 10 points and 13 rebounds for his second double-double of the season, and first since the season opener for Ohio.
This was the 11th win in postseason history for the Bobcats, most of any team from the Mid-American Conference. This also marks the first time in Ohio history that the Bobcats have earned wins in consecutive postseasons and have now earned a win in three of the last four postseasons.
Ohio became the second team in NCAA history to earn wins in the NCAA Tournament, NIT, CBI Tournament and CIT. They join Old Dominion University as the only Division
1 programs to accomplish such a feat.
Things got off to a rocky start for Ohio as Marshall opened up a quick 6-0 lead. An 8-1 deficit three minutes into the game would be the largest disadvantage the Bobcats faced in the contest. Ohio made a quick 11-5 spurt to get within a point, 13-12, with 13:24 left in the half and with just over ten minutes left in the period. A layup and free throw by T.J. Hall knotted the game at 20-20.
The contest remained close over the final minutes of the half until a trey by Damier Pitts gave MU a 32-27 lead with 3:16 left. It briefly appeared as though the hosting Herd might enjoy a six-point lead at the break. However, a successful three-pointer by Conference USA Freshman of the Year DeAndre Kane was ruled no good when the referees judged that the clock did not start on time after the in-bounding of the ball. Marshall led at the half, 36-33.
Ohio carried its first-half momentum into the final stanza, taking its first lead with 18:11 left in the game as Washington hit a layup to give the Bobcats a 39-38 advantage. Marshall quickly fought back as a dunk was followed by a jumper that put MU back up three, 42-39.
After another low-post conversion by Washington, Ohio led 52-51 mid-way through the final period. A quick 5-0 run by Marshall, seemed to sway the momentum, but the Bobcats countered with a Tommy Freeman three to make it a 56-55 contest.
The was eventually decided in the final minutes. Ohio enjoyed its largest lead of three points, 61-58, with less than five minutes left on a jumper by Ivo Baltic. A dunk cut the lead to one before a jumper put Marshall back on top, 62-61, with 2:44 remaining.
Following buckets by each team, a D.J. Cooper bucket with 1:30 proved to be the difference. On the ensuing possession, the Herd hauled in three offensive boards, but was unable to convert. Two more shots by the Herd in the final 30 seconds fell short as the ‘Cats held on for the victory.
Baltic finished with 10 points and six boards, while Cooper finished with 10 points, nine assists and six rebounds for the Bobcats. Ohio shot 37 percent in the first half and elevated its play to shoot 47 percent in the second half.
Meanwhile, after allowing Marshall to shoot 45.5 percent in the first half, the ‘Cats held their opponent to 37 percent shooting over the final 20 minutes of the game.
Tirrell Baines led the way with 18 points and seven rebounds, and Nigel Spikes put up a career-high 19 rebounds along with six points and a pair of blocks for Marshall. Pitts added 17 points, while Kane chipped in 12 with six rebounds.
Ohio’s next game in the CIT, along with its location, is still yet to be decided.
Courtesy of Ohio Athletics
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