Sports
Campbell’s Big Day Lifts Ohio Over Cleveland State
By: Blake Baker
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A big day from Bobcat big man Tony Campbell lifted Ohio over Cleveland State 76-67 on Saturday at the Q Arena in Cleveland.
Campbell led the Bobcats with 23 points and 10 rebounds. The Vikings noticeably struggled with containing Campbell. Also scoring in double-figures were Jaaron Simmons with 13 and Jordan Dartis with 15. Dartis turned in another shooting performance, going 5-9 from behind the arc.Rob Edwards and Andre Yates both led the Vikings in scoring with 17 points apiece.
Poor shooting plagued the Bobcats early on. However, the Bobcats got things rolling late inb the first half. They started just 4-13 from the field but ended the half shooting 52 percent.
Better offensive efficiency and ball control were key factors in capturing their first lead of the game with just under three minutes in the first half, and Ohio took a 36-34 lead into the locker room.
Despite failing to meet the season average of 82 points per game, which ranked first in the MAC coming into the game, the ‘Cats had no trouble scoring in the second half. They took control of the half right away, opening up a 14-4 run and never looking back.
Ohio can attribute part of its ability to score to its play down low. The Bobcats grabbed 37 rebounds, 12 offensive, and totaled 13 points on those second-chance opportunities. The Vikings came down with 32 rebounds in the contest.
The Bobcats also seemed to have addressed any lingering turnover issues, winning the turnover battle with 12 compared to the Vikings’ 15.
The win for the Green and White was the program’s second ever regular season win at the Q, and its first since 2006.
Cleveland State falls to 2-11 all-time against the Bobcats with the loss, and Ohio improves to 5-3 on the young season. Ohio looks to nab win number six at the Convo against Ohio Dominican on Tuesday.