Ohio’s (2-4) 85-73 win over Portland (2-4) meant a little more than any other nonconference game for the program. Ohio coach Jeff Boals earned his 100th win, making him the sixth coach in Ohio history to reach that mark.
Ohio forward AJ Clayton led the way with a career-high 34 points in Ohio’s best game in the season. Clayton also tallied 12 rebounds and six 3-pointers to go along with his career-high in points.
Clayton has had an up-and-down start to the season, with many of his struggles coming on the offensive side of the ball. Clayton, a preseason All-MAC First Team selectee, broke out Friday with the best shooting performance of his career.
The entire Ohio offense got off to a hot start, scoring 28 points in the game's first 10 minutes. Point guard Jackson Paveletzke did a great job facilitating success on the offense end with a team-leading 10 assists.
Paveletzke has been a highlight of the team’s Myrtle Beach Invitational appearance, with back-to-back double-doubles against Middle Tennessee and Portland. The transfer guard was particularly efficient against Portland, shooting four-of-seven from the field en route to a 10-point day.
The Bobcats were equally proficient on defense to start the game, allowing only 10 Portland points in the first 10 minutes.
The team’s hot start on both ends earned them an early 18-point advantage which it would hold onto for the remainder of the game.
Ohio held its biggest lead of the year going into the half, with a 16-point advantage over a Portland team that struggled to penetrate a stout Ohio defense. With 73 points allowed, the Ohio defense held Portland to fewer points than it has allowed in a game all season.
The Bobcats did enough in the second half to stay ahead but were still outscored by 4 points. Portland adjusted to what the Ohio defense showed and cut the lead to single digits midway through the second half.
Clayton took over in the final 5 minutes of the half to end any chance at an incredible comeback from Portland.
Junior Aidan Hadaway was the team's second-leading scorer with 13 points, including eight rebounds and four assists.
After an overtime loss to open the Myrtle Beach Invitational, Ohio bounced back to even its weekend record. The Bobcats will be back in action Sunday at 8 p.m. to take on Texas State to wrap up the weekend.
