Jordan Dartis and James Gollon sat far down the Ohio bench cheering for their teammates on a few big plays. It’s a perch that Bobcat fans will see them on for the foreseeable future, with no clear end in sight.
With their best two 3-point shooters out, the Bobcats were forced to look at their mix of veterans and underclassmen to step up. When teams can hit the 3-pointer, they can open up and stretch out the floor.
The blend of players rose to the occasion Monday, helping Ohio out of a first-half rut and giving the Bobcats an 81-73 win over Campbell in The Convo. It was the first of four games in the Jersey Mike’s Jamaica Classic.
“Knocking down 3-pointers opens up driving lanes for me. Tonight, it opened up the post,” Jason Carter said. “I think it helps stretch the floor.”
With 12:50 left to go, Gavin Block hit a 3-pointer in the corner closest to the Ohio bench to give the Bobcats a 49-46 lead. Block, who was knocked over after the shot and picked up by his teammates, pushed back down the court to play defense.
The lead was the first on the night for Ohio, and the only one it needed. The Bobcats held on for the rest of the game. That possession consisted of nine passes before Block hit the shot from the corner.
In essence, the possession was a glimpse of what the Bobcats try to achieve on offense: spreading the ball around, driving to the basket and kicking it out if nothing was available inside.
On the 3-pointer from Block, it was an example of moving around the ball after the drive inside didn’t work. More importantly, the assist on the 3 came from Carter at the top of the key, a testament to the effort of moving around the ball.
It was the only shot from beyond the arc that he made all night, missing his two other attempts. Still, it was a clutch shot made by a veteran who wouldn’t have taken that shot last season.
“We work on moving the ball and taking the open shot,” coach Saul Phillips said.
On the night, the Bobcats knocked down seven 3-pointers and shot 38.9 percent. Ben Vander Plas knocked down four, including back-to-back 3s midway through the first half to bring the Camels’ lead to one point.
Jason Preston knocked down two as well. A true freshman guard, he started for the second straight game. Phillips said Preston is a pass-first guard, but he was able to balance the two Monday. (He finished with just one assist.)
Monday was a start to figuring out the 3-point game for the Bobcats. It’s one they’ll have to embrace without their top two shooters, but when the clutch play was needed, it was made.
“We have to make them,” Carter said. “James (Gollon) and Jordy (Dartis) make the majority of our shots. Not knowing them, guys know they need to step up. When it comes down to it, got to have guys knock down 3s.”
