Sports

Ohio Men’s Basketball can’t outpace Memphis, slides to 1-3 to open season

By: Grant Kiefer
Posted on: Friday, November 15, 2024

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WOUB) — Coming off a disappointing loss Tuesday night, Ohio (1-3) needed a bounce-back performance badly. There aren’t many worse opponents to try and have a get-right game against Penny Hardaway’s Memphis Tigers (3-0), one of college basketball’s most popular programs with some of the biggest names in the country. While the Bobcats gave a valiant effort, it wasn’t enough to take down the high-scoring Memphis offense, falling 94-70.

Ohio faced a slow start, something the team has become accustomed to this season. Being down 17-4 early, it seemed the game could’ve gotten out of hand quickly. Ohio’s defense was OK early on, but the Bobcats couldn’t find the bottom of the net. That changed when Ajay Sheldon subbed onto the floor. Sheldon scored 14 first-half points, giving Ohio a spark off the bench that it hasn’t been familiar with this season. Elmore James, starting in place of the injured Shereef Mitchell, tied his career-high in threes in the first half alone–nailing three deep balls on four attempts. Ohio worked the deficit to just three points late in the first half, but couldn’t slow down Memphis on offense. The Tigers started 7-8 from three and shot 55.6% from the field overall in the first half. PJ Haggerty, who was Third Team All-American Athletic Conference in 23-24, threw in 17 points on 6-7 shooting to lead Memphis.

Overall, Ohio’s ability to not let the game get out of hand early was impressive, and it was easy to tell the Tigers felt the Bobcats breathing down their neck. In response, Memphis’ intensity ramped up in the second half. Ohio committed four turnovers in the first three minutes of the half, and the Tigers made the Bobcats keep up with them in transition. Already down a man with Mitchell out and with a shorter rotation, this spelled a recipe for disaster for Ohio. Memphis got out to an 8-0 run early and extended the lead back up to 15. However, Head Coach Jeff Boals and his team made it known they weren’t backing down. Ohio worked the deficit down to 64-57 halfway through the second half, forcing Memphis to ramp up its intensity again.

That intensity would show. Memphis worked the lead back up to as many as 27 points, en route to a Tigers victory. Ohio now sits at a 1-3 record, losing three of four to open its season.

Overall, Ohio showed much more fight in Memphis than it did at Illinois State on Tuesday night. This is a fine moral victory for the Bobcats to hang their hats on with some time to prepare for the Myrtle Beach Invitational. Ohio loaded up its non-conference schedule this season, and that toughness has shown. However, Memphis is the first team Ohio has seen that’s ranked higher in KenPom rankings this season. The expectations are high for the Bobcats because this is a really talented team. Unfortunately for Ohio, this is just the slow start it absolutely could not let happen. The absence of Mitchell plays a part, but there have been many players who haven’t lived up to their standards so far. That being said, it’s only November and there’s plenty of time to get back on track before Mid-American Conference play begins.

Ohio’s first chance to get back on track is on a grand stage. The Bobcats will face Middle Tennessee State in the Myrtle Beach Invitational, with tip-off set for noon on ESPN2. In addition, WOUB Sports will provide on-site coverage throughout the entire tournament.