CLEVELAND -Leon Williams proved that he earned his selection as MAC Freshman of the Year. The forward took over last night's game against Kent State with 14 points and 16 rebounds in Ohio's 62-55 victory against Kent State in the MAC quarterfinals.
I thought I had to be more aggressive this game
Williams said. I felt like I let my team down in the game at Kent State that we lost (Saturday). Ohio head coach Tim O'Shea praised Williams' performance.
I think he's the best big man in the league because he truly plays inside he said. He's not one of these 6-foot-8 guys that stands on the perimeter and shoots 15-foot jump shots. He rebounds and he's just a force around the basket. The victory gives the Bobcats redemption after a bitter defeat on Kent State's home court just six days ago. It also gives them another game in a season that has seen them go from a last place preseason pick to the semifinals of the MAC Tournament.
It's a significant win for our program
and it allows us to continue what's turning out to be a really special season for us
O'Shea said.
Up next for Ohio is a rematch against Miami, who dealt Bowling Green a decisive loss earlier in the day.
Williams spearheaded a defensive effort that held the Golden Flashes to 33 percent shooting for the game. Five days ago, Kent State beat Ohio by grabbing offensive rebounds and getting second chances. But Kent State was only able to manage six second-chance points in the teams' third matchup.
Kent State held a second-half lead of 38-37 before the Bobcats used a 12-0 run to turn a one-point deficit into an 11-point lead. During the run, Kent State was held scoreless for more than four and a half minutes.
The most critical play of the run was an intentional foul called on Nate Gerwig after a Williams lay-in. Williams knocked down both free throws to complete a four-point possession that gave the Bobcats a 43-38 lead. Williams scored seven points during the run.
I thought it gave us a lot of momentum
and it showed their frustration
Williams said of the intentional foul.
Guard Mychal Green remained another constant on offense for Ohio, as he contributed 13 points. Green said Ohio's disappointment six days ago played a factor.
We had a chance to get a share of the conference title
Green said. It definitely played a motivating factor. Guard Sonny Troutman recorded two steals in the game to establish a single-season team record for steals in a season with 65.
Ohio's zone defense gave the Golden Flashes fits all night as they settled for 28 3-point shots, making only seven of them. O'Shea said that Kent State has not been a good shooting team away from home during the season.
It made sense to force them to shoot the ball from the outside
and if they got hot
we would've gone man-to-man
but they never really did. For the Bobcats, the victory marks the first time they have made the conference semifinals since 2002, when the Golden Flashes ended Ohio's season. The loss for Kent State also ends a run of four straight seasons of making the MAC Championship game.
Up next for Ohio is a matchup with Miami, a team with which the Bobcats split the season series by a combined six points. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
in Gund Arena.
