Ohio’s second season matchup with Western Michigan wasn’t anything like the first.
It seemed Ohio would cruise to a win Tuesday night in Kalamazoo, Michigan after going up by 21 points in the first half — similar to when Ohio dismantled Western Michigan on Jan. 3.
But then the Broncos’ Thomas Wilder happened. Turnovers and over dribbling happened. All three cursed Ohio.
Then the lead evaporated, the Broncos hit three-straight free throws, and the Bobcats trailed with 16 seconds remaining.
Jason Carter took a replicated 3-pointer — one that looked just like a late-game miss from Toledo — with 11 seconds left in regulation to tie. The shot attempt had the same result.
WMU defeated Ohio 90-85 after Carter’s 3-pointer rimmed out. Wilder led all scorers with 29 points.
“I feel sick,” coach Saul Phillips said in a postgame radio interview. “We should’ve got this one and we didn’t do it.”
Four Bobcats (13-7, 5-4 Mid-American Conference) had 10 or more points, including Carter and Kenny Kaminski, Ohio’s last standing senior.
Kaminski’s 17 points on 5-for-7 shooting blasted the Broncos early. Jaaron Simmons had 18 points and six assists. Carter’s 21 points and five rebounds added to the early fun.
But that jubilance vanished quickly when Ohio’s final seven possession of the first half were stymied by five turnovers and bad shot selection.
The Broncos (7-14, 3-6 MAC), in turn, used a 15-0 run before the first half ended to claw their way back in.
The result: Ohio’s fifth loss by five points or less this season.
Ohio hasn't beaten WMU twice in the regular season since 2013.
The Bobcats also finished 2-3 during a 15-day span which saw them play four-of-five on the road.
“We couldn’t get stops when we needed it,” Phillips said. “And way too many fouls.”
Ohio controlled the game early in the first half thanks to spacing and sharp 3-point shooting from Kaminski and Carter.
Despite Kaminski and Carter’s early success, WMU found its own: offensive rebounds and Tucker Haymond, who finished with 20 points, 11 of which came in the first half.
But the Broncos kept pace thanks to 12 offensive rebounds and 19 points off turnovers. Nine of those offensive rebounds happened in the first half — a foreshadowing of Ohio’s collapse.
“It better light a fire under us,” Phillips said.
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