PREGAME
The Bobcats (18-7, 8-4) and Broncos (16-8, 9-3) meet in a grudge match Wednesday at The Convo at 7:00 p.m.
Last meeting between the two schools, Ohio fell to Western Michigan on the road 90-74 Feb. 5. The Broncos are tied for first place in the Mid-American Conference West division and have won five straight contests. They are led by redshirt senior guard David Brown, who paces the conference in scoring with 18.4 points per game.
STARTING LINEUPS:
OHIO: redshirt junior guard Javarez Willis, senior guard Nick Kellogg, senior guard Travis Wilkins, junior forward Maurice Ndour freshman forward Antonio Campbell.
WESTERN MICHIGAN: sophomore forward Connar Tava, redshirt senior guard David Brown, redshirt senior center Shayne Whittington, junior guard Austin Richie, freshman forwardTucker Haymond.
FIRST HALF
Western Michigan dominated in all facets of the game during the first half, as Ohio trailed 31-25 at the intermission. Junior forward Maurice Ndour led all Bobcat scorers with 12 points.
The Broncos, jumped out to an early 10-point advantage with 11:53 left in the first half, leading 19-9. Ohio had five early turnovers before the 10-minute mark in the first half. They finished the opening half with 11 turnovers and the Broncos took advantage as they turned them into 14 points.
Western Michigan showed its dominance down low as they outscored the Bobcats in the paint 20-12. The Broncos were also stout on the glass as they pulled down 10 offensive rebounds that they turned into 18-second half points. The Bobcats cut Western Michigan’s lead to 10 points with 7:23 left in the half before the Broncos upped their lead to 13 points with 3:51 remaining in the first stanza. The Bobcats were able to get within six points with less than two minutes remaining in the half, after an Ohio basket by Ndour.
SECOND HALF
After drawing within three points with 16:28 remaining in the second half, the Broncos wouldn’t let the Bobcats spoil their fun as they defeated Ohio 73-63. The victory was the Broncos first at Ohio for the first time since 2000.
Western Michigan dominated from the opening tip and never relinquished the lead after the opening minute. Three Western Michigan players finished in double figures as redshirt senior guard David Brown led the squad with 23 points. The Broncos redshirt senior center Shayne Whittington had a double double with 11 rebounds and 11 points.
Ohio did not have an answer for the Broncos all game, as Western Michigan steadily increased the Ohio deficit to 17 points in the second half.
The Bobcats struggled to find any consistency on offense, as they shot 47 percent from the field and 28 percent from behind the arc. Western Michigan’s defense was stout all game, forcing 17 Bobcats turnovers, which they turned into 23 points. Senior guard Nick Kellogg who finished with 20 points paced Ohio. Ndour added 14 points for the Bobcats.
FINAL BOX SCORE:
Ohio:
Nick Kellogg: 20 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Maurice Ndour: 14 points, five rebounds and three assists.
Jon Smith: seven points and four rebounds.
Western Michigan:
David Brown 23 points and four rebounds.
Connar Tava 18 points and six rebounds.
Shayne Whittington: 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Tucker Haymond: nine points and two rebounds.
