Sports
Paveletzke’s scoring burst leads Ohio Men’s Basketball to thrilling OT win over St. Bonaventure
By: Andrew Bowlby
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CLEVELAND (WOUB) – There’s something about playing at Rocket Arena for Ohio Men’s Basketball that always keeps them in thrilling games.
The Bobcats ended last season with a 90-85 defeat in overtime to Toledo in the MAC Tournament Quarterfinals.
Saturday, Ohio (4-6) defeated St. Bonaventure (10-2) 88-83 in overtime led by a Jackson Paveletzke masterclass.
“These last three games we have positive momentum going,” head coach Jeff Boals said. “Proud of our guys for finding a way to win.”
“We already knew what it was like playing in overtime on that floor,” forward Javan Simmons said referencing March’s game when he was with Toledo. “We knew it was going to be a real gritty defensive possession game, so we wanted to get as many stops as possible.”
Things did not get off to a good start for either team. They combined for just one made shot in the first 3:30 of the game.
Joe Grahovac’s make stood as the only one until Ajay Sheldon got Ohio’s first points on a make from deep.
The Bobcats got off to a good start and held an early lead before the teams traded makes from three. Buddy Simmons and Daniel Egbuniwe made triples for St. Bonaventure broken up by an Aidan Hadaway three.
The Bonnies held a 10-8 lead a few minutes into the first half. Their lead didn’t stand for long as St. Bonaventure had significant turnover problems. The Bonnies turned the ball over six turnovers in the first 10 minutes of the game. Well on pace to surpass their season average of 12.4 per game.
The Bonnies kept pushing and only allowed Ohio to hold a two-point lead at halftime at 34-32.
It felt like Ohio may have been set up to fail in the second half. St. Bonaventure had played poorly in the first, the Bobcats didn’t capitalize and their best player was struggling.
And that’s the exact result the game saw. In just 1:19 the Bonnies took a 39-34 lead on a 7-0 run forcing an early timeout from Boals.
Ohio responded in the perfect way with Javan Simmons scoring on consecutive possessions and drawing an offensive foul.
With the game tied at 44, Aidan Hadaway made the play of the game. He slammed a poster down over Frank Mitchell giving Ohio a 46-44 lead.
“That was an energy booster for us,” Simmons said. “It turned up the pressure a little bit and we won that war because of it.”
The monster dunk was part of a very steady day for Hadaway. He scored 14 points and collected seven rebounds providing Ohio with big minutes.
Only Paveletzke and Simmons scored more than Hadaway. And it wasn’t until midway through the second half that the former really got things going.
Paveletzke had turned the ball over on back-to-back possessions with under six to play in the game. From there, he was nearly perfect.
His run started with a made three that gave the Bobcats a 61-57 lead. Paveletzke just kept pushing and forcing makes that changed the game.
“Honestly, I was just in a flow state out there,” Paveletzke said. “I had a slow start, but just remaining confident through the ups and downs throughout the game.”
He could not be stopped – but St. Bonaventure had an answer. It was Mitchell who kept the Bonnies offense going. He finished as the games leading scorer with 27, while also bringing in 14 rebounds.
Ohio had a three-point lead with 30 seconds remaining in regulation, but slowly the Bonnies made free throws to tie the game.
Paveletzke had a look to win the game but it fell short and the teams went into overtime tied at 70.
The extra period’s pace waws frenetic. Both teams made shots and neither team could find an early stop. Just two minutes in the pair had combined for 15 points.
Ohio ultimately pulled ahead in overtime thanks to Simmons makes and defensive stops that led to the 88-83 victory.
“We’re learning from our mistakes,” Paveletzke said. “We weren’t doing that in the beginning of the season but we’re taking more attention to detail.”
Ohio will return to Athens for their next three games. The Bobcats will host Ohio Wesleyan on Tuesday night before the MAC opener against Bowling Green next Saturday.