Sports
Ohio Bobcats Film Room: Dartis and Preston lead Ohio past Detroit Mercy
By: Michael Roth
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The Ohio Bobcats (5-3) got a 91-81 victory over the Detroit Mercy (1-5) Titans on Sunday November 30th in the Convocation Center.
For the Bobcats, Jordan Dartis led the way offensively with 26 points. Dartis struggled in a three game stretch against high major opponents in Villanova, Baylor and Utah. He recently has caught fire, scoring 58 points in his last two games, going 14-22 from 3-point range. His six 3-pointers against Detroit were his second most in the young season. Clipped below are all of his FGM against Detroit Mercy.
Jason Preston has been the engine of the Ohio offense all season, as he averages 8.1 assists per game. Against Detroit Mercy, Preston had his third double-digit assist game of the season. Preston has increased his assists per game from 3.4 to 8.1 this season, but his assist to turnover ratio has gone from 2.8 to 1.8 in the increased role. Against the Titans he had six turnovers, tied for his second most this season. Clipped below are his 12 assists against the Titans.
Preston hasn’t just been a passer though, he’s taken major steps in his offensive game this season. Preston has almost tripled his PPG from 6.0 to 17.3. Against the Titans he scored 20 points, the third time this season he’s been at 20 or more points. Preston has also been in double-figures in scoring every game this season. Clipped below are his basket attacks from the game, including makes and misses when he was driving at the hoop.
One player who has stepped into Ohio University has been graduate transfer Sylvester Ogbonda. Ogbonda isn’t usually a scoring threat, as his 11 point effort against the Titans is only his second game in double-figures. Clipped below are his FGM from the game and an important tap for an Ohio offensive rebound late in the second half.
Where Ogbonda usually makes his impact is on the defensive end. Ogbonda has a .6 DBPM and a 23.3 defensive rebound rate against division I opponents. He also has a 2.7 block rate and 2.3 steal rate. Clipped below are his defensive highlights from the game against Detroit Mercy.
Ohio has been forced to rely on a bunch of freshman this season because of an inexperienced roster. Nolan Foster has been one of the players required to play some crucial minutes early in the season. Against the Titans Foster went 2-3 from the floor for four points in 12 minutes of action. The game against Detroit is the fifth time he’s made two field goals against a division I opponent this season. Clipped below are his two makes and a defensive highlight from the game.
Finally, Lunden McDay has been starting since day one for the Bobcats. His impact is mostly shown on the defensive end and that was no different against Detroit Mercy. Despite ending with nine points, his third most against a division I opponent, I thought his defensive performance stood out. His perimeter defense is elite for a freshman, and McDay should blossom into a potential All-MAC defensive selection if he continues to play like this. Clipped below are his defensive highlights from the Detroit Mercy game.
Ohio continues their 2019-20 basketball season on December 4th when the Bobcats host Rio Grande. Tip is scheduled for 7 P.M.