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[Andrew Bowlby | WOUB]

Ohio Men’s Basketball gets much-needed win over Maine

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – A win was sorely needed. 

Coming off a last-place showing in Daytona Beach, the urgency for Ohio (2-6) to string together some wins was high. Maine (0-10) had the same sense of urgency, sitting winless on the season. The Bobcats put together their most complete performance of the season to win 79-57 in blowout fashion. 

It was complete on both offense and defense, but also in terms of players scoring. Javan Simmons led the team with 17 points, while JJ Kelly and Jalen Breath also finished in double figures. Jackson Paveletzke, the team’s leader in PPG, scored just six points. It was important for others to step up to get Paveletzke some much-needed rest. 

“Yeah, he’s always the head of the snake, and I thought he was good tonight,” head coach Jeff Boals said. “We were able to get him some rest. Previous games were playing him 38, 39, 36 minutes, whatever it may be, he’s a big part of what we do.” 

Ohio Men's Basketball freshman guard JJ Kelly finishing a second chance bucket vs Maine.
Ohio Men’s Basketball freshman guard JJ Kelly finishing a second chance bucket vs Maine. [Reece Merkel | WOUB Public Media]
Kelly was the big surprise of the night as the true freshman had his best performance of the season, along with earning the start. While he hasn’t been in Athens long, he’s made an impression on his teammates. 

“(Kelly) the most athletically gifted person I’ve ever seen,” Simmons said. “I get on him sometimes, and he knows I love him. That’s my little brother right here; he stepped up in a big way tonight.” 

While the struggles in November were a low for this team, the team’s ready to put it behind them and are looking towards their main goal: March. 

“There are a lot of teams going to play their best basketball in November. We don’t want to be one of those teams. Are we where we want to be right now? No, but today was a step in the right direction,” Boals said. 

Ohio will be back in action Saturday afternoon against rival Marshall at 4 p.m. Boals has not beaten Marshall since 2021, as a win could really flip the momentum back in favor of the Bobcats this season.