Sports

Ohio falls to Marshall 74-69 after huge 12-0 run to close the game

By: Payton Brooker
Posted on: Saturday, December 9, 2023

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — A 12-0 run for the Marshall Thundering Herd (3-6) stuns the Ohio Bobcats (5-4) in a 74-69 loss.

Ohio came into the Convo looking for a turnaround after a 78-72 loss to Youngstown State on Dec 6.

The two teams came out fast in the first half with not much room for momentum. Ohio and Marshall were moving the ball effectively which led to both teams never gaining the edge to get a comfortable lead. 

The Bobcats were able to go into the half with only a one-point lead. Despite the deficit in the first half, Marshall shot 57% from the field.

Ohio kept this lead for the majority of the second half and was up by seven with just over two minutes to go in the game. From that point on, Ohio failed to score for the rest of the game as Marshall went on a staggering 12-0 run. With just under 30 seconds left in the game, Obinna Anochili-Killen hit a game-winning three pointer to take back the lead.

Jaylin Hunter led the Bobcats in scoring and assists with 19 points and five assists. A.J. Clayton had a productive game, scoring 10 points and ending the night with nine rebounds and five blocks. 

“We’ve given up leads pretty much all season, even wins,” Hunter said. “It’s been our achilles heel all season. We got to figure it out.”

Ohio head coach Jeff Boals said he is hoping to find a better outcome by understanding what went wrong.

“We will watch the film,” Boals said. “We’ll try to understand the importance of communication. I think a couple of threes we had some miscommunication on transitions. I think the urgent piece when you have a lead, you really need to lock in defensively and not getting hit on the screen.”

Ohio will return the Convo for the fourth straight time on Dec. 18 to face Defiance College.