Sports
Ohio Men’s Basketball scores season-high 88 points in commanding win over Marshall
By: Andrew Bowlby
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – Ohio Men’s Basketball (2-6) hasn’t had many opportunities to start win streaks during the first month of the 2025-26 season.
But when the Bobcats hosted rival Marshall (5-3) on Saturday afternoon they had chance to build momentum after a win against Maine earlier in the week.
The Bobcats got off to a quick start and put together one of their strongest efforts of the season in route to an 88-81 win.
“It was a great win for our team, thought we played with great energy tonight,” head coach Jeff Boals said. “Found a way to win the game.”
Ohio got off to a fast start courtesy of Aidan Hadaway. At the first media timeout, he had already put eight points on the board. Hadaway ended his burst with 10 points and four rebounds in the first five minutes of the game.
Despite a good start from Hadaway, he didn’t get much offensive support in the early minutes.
Noah Otshudi made a three for Marshall cutting the Ohio lead to 12-11.
Both teams were engaged physically in the opening half and it led to a number of battles in the paint. After a big of a struggle for the offense, Javan Simmons finished back-to-back possession with three points plays.
That put Ohio ahead by 12 points with just over three minutes to play in the half.
Hadaway gave the 3,723 fans in attendance déjà vu when he started the second half the same way he began the first.
He put eight quick points on the boards, including a pair of threes to spark Ohio’s offense. Another quick start was answered by a good push from the Thundering Herd.
Marshall came out and made a number of early shots, including a Caleb Hollenbeck triple that forced Jeff Boals to call a timeout less than three minutes in.
The Bobcats responded to the Marshall run perfectly with a made three from JJ Kelly. Ohio’s ability to respond was a consistent factor in the second half.
Wyatt Fricks provided much of the early success for Marshall netting seven of his teams 13 points in the half.
Ajay Sheldon found his shooting legs in the second half for the first time this season. He made three big deep shots keeping Ohio’s lead intact.
His play on the defensive end was equally important. Sheldon came up with deflections, steals and the pressure he applied help keep the Bobcats ahead.
“He’s been as frustrated as anybody with his lack of making,” Boals said. “This game and last game he’s been a beast defensively.”
Sheldon’s three makes from deep were also part of Ohio’s 10 makes as a team. It marked a season high in makes and helps resolve an issue that has plagued the team all season.
Ohio also made free throws down the stretch. The Bobcats tied another season high with 20 makes from the charity stripe.
Maybe the best part of the second half was the defensive effort that closed the game. Ohio held Marshall without a made field goal for 6:54.
With makes on the offensive end and defensive consistency, Ohio closed the game and got a major victory. The Bobcats also led for 37:10 of the game.
“You can’t really be negative in the locker room. We’ve got two in a row, and have to keep going,” Hadaway said.
The Bobcats will be off for a week before heading to the Cleveland Hoops Showdown to face St. Bonaventure next Saturday at Rocket Arena.