Sports
Brown, Hunter lead Ohio to dominant 73-61 win over Central Michigan
By: Andrew Bowlby
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — After a difficult December and start to January, Ohio (8-9, 2-3 MAC) rolled past Central Michigan (8-9, 3-2 MAC) 73-61 to earn its second conference victory of the season.
From the start, the Bobcats were moving the ball quickly and efficiently. Ohio recorded seven assists in the first half, but also set up numerous open shots. Head coach Jeff Boals saw positives from the early passing.
“We had some good looks, wide open threes that we didn’t make.” Boals said. “So, I was encouraged by that even though we didn’t make them.”
Fifth year guard Miles Brown led the Bobcats offensively knocking down six shots and totaling 13 points.
Brown finished with a season high of 17 points. His season-high last season also came against the Chippewas when he scored 27. Brown credited his teammates for the scoring outbursts.
“One thing that’s been consistent is my teammates sharing the basketball,” Brown said.
Led by the 13 from Brown, the Bobcats controlled the opening half, dominating the Chippewas in all aspects of the game. While the Bobcats did score 40 points, their defense was also suffocating the Chippewas offense that could never get moving.
The Bobcats were commanding all night long, winning multiple key stat battles. Ohio was forcing turnovers and converting on the offensive end. The Bobcats recorded 12 turnovers and scored 15 points off them.
The Bobcats also won the rebounding battle 38-31. They have been playing smaller lineups this season.
“That’s big moving forward,” Boals said. “That was a big emphasis coming in, [Brian] Taylor and [Hunter] Harding both averaging over two offensive rebounds.”
The Bobcats limited the Chippewas to just six offensive rebounds, three in each half.
Ohio will have a few days off before returning to the Convo to face off against Eastern Michigan on Jan. 20.