Sports
Basketball: Instant Reaction: Ohio Defeats UNC Wilmington 85-47
< < Back to basketball-instant-reaction-ohio-defeats-unc-wilmington-85-47The Ohio Bobcats got their second win of the Jim Christian era with 85-47 victory over UNC Wilmington Friday night. With four players in double-digit points and by outrebounding the Seahawks 35-23, Ohio ran away with the game early and didn’t look back.
First Half:
After a Nick Kellogg three-pointer to start the half and seven consecutive turnovers from the Seahawks the ‘Cats got off to an early 15-0 lead. Despite an 8-0 run by the Seahawks in the middle of the first half, the ‘Cats dominated by causing turnovers and scoring easily on fast breaks. Ohio kept up on the boards tying UNC Wilmington with 15 total rebounds in the first half. Walter Offutt and Jon Smith both got into foul trouble early in the second half, but thanks to Ivo Baltic’s hot start, 5-7 with 10 points, the ‘Cats were able to head into half with a commanding 37-17 lead.
Second Half:
Ivo Baltic continued his hot night, scoring the first four points of the second half to give the ‘Cats a 41-17 lead with just under 18 minutes left on the clock. Despite Seahawks star Keith Rendleman’s stellar second half performance, UNC Wilmington was never quite able to get any momentum. Baltic showed out, with a couple forceful dunks in the second half. The ‘Cats pulled off a series of threes late in the second half to give Ohio a commanding 85-47 win.
Key Statistic:
Two and two. After managing to grab a total of 20 rebounds and scoring 19 points in the ‘Hawks first two games, Ohio held UNC Wilmington forward Cedrick Williams to just two rebounds and two points in 19 minutes.
Defense:
Ohio once again dominated in the turnover department causing 26 Seahawk turnovers, 17 in the first half alone. The ‘Cats stingy defense led to 31 points off of turnovers and 27 fast break points. Ivo Baltic, D.J. Cooper and Stevie Taylor each had four steals on the night, tying for the lead.
Forward Play:
Ivo Baltic had a huge night for Ohio, going five for seven from the field for 10 points in the first half. He came out just as hot in the second half, scoring the ‘Cats first six points after halftime and finishing 10-12 from the field with 20 points, six rebounds and four steals.
Reggie Keely also had a big night for the Bobcats picking up 14 points off the bench and snagging seven boards, tied for the team lead with Walter Offutt. Jon Smith went a perfect 3-3 from the field and Ricardo Johnson added 7 points from the bench for Ohio.
Key Quote:
“It’s a great thing as a player,” said D.J. Cooper on playing three games in a five day span. "We practice hard, as a player we love to compete. Go out there and play back to back games as long as you take care of your body you’ll be OK. We’re an older team. We’re going to come out respecting whoever we play and just play our game."
Next Up:
Ohio continues its home stand when it welcomes Wofford (1-2) to the Convocation Center Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m.
*Photo credit: Kate Hiller