Sports
Ohio wins second game in a row in blowout fashion over Western Michigan
By: Grant Kiefer
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — It’s not often blowouts happen in the MAC, especially in the conference’s best season in recent memory. Ohio (13-11, 7-5 MAC) was on the receiving end of one just a week and a half ago. On Tuesday, it sent the MAC’s lowest-ranked team, Western Michigan (8-14, 2-8 MAC), packing with a 91-71 loss in a game the Bobcats played near-perfect.
One of the biggest differences in the game was one of the simplest aspects of them all–free throws. Western Michigan shot an abysmal 10-25 from the stripe, led by the Broncos’ Jayden Brewer going 2-8.
Ohio never trailed in the game and went pedal to the metal for a full 40 minutes. That was an emphasis heading in against an inferior team, as the Bobcats haven’t taken care of business against teams they should as of late.
“We’ve done it well in spurts in our losses, but obviously it’s not good enough to win the game,” head coach Jeff Boals said. “It’s about putting together and playing a complete 40 minutes. It was a four point game at Kent, and we didn’t play very well (late).”
Despite Western Michigan’s record, Boals emphasized that with the conference as deep as it is this season, everyone is a respectable opponent.
“Listen, that’s a good team,” Boals said. “They had Akron down 14 in the first half. They were down 16 to UMass and came back and lost by three. I’ve said this before, anybody can get beat anybody on any night. And you got to bring your A-game. And if you don’t have that, mental fortitude, you know, a team goes on a run, you can lose.”
Ohio had 18 assists as a team and had every starter score in double figures. Jackson Paveletzke, while quiet, threw in 17 points and eight assists with just two turnovers. When he’s faciliating as a point guard, Ohio can look unbeatable at times. Teams that have beaten the Bobcats have done a great job of forcing him into double teams, which is something Ohio will have to improve upon with their matchup against undefeated Miami looming next Friday.
Before the Miami bout, Ohio will travel to Old Dominion as part of the MAC-SBC Challenge. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday night and can be seen on ESPN+.