The wait wasn't worth it for the Bobcats.
Ohio lost to Central Michigan, 76-69, yesterday at Rose Arena in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. The game was scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed because of inclement weather.
The Bobcats wasted a career night by forward DeVaughn Washington, who scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. The loss was the second unexpected loss in a row for Ohio, which fell to Bowling Green, 52-51, at The Convo Saturday.
I thought they were a heck of a lot tougher than we played
coach John Groce said. We've got to get this thing righted defensively.
Ohio couldn't stop the Chippewas in the second half.
The Bobcats led 30-29 at halftime, but Ohio couldn't keep up with Central Michigan's hot shooting.
Central Michigan shot 57 percent and scored 12 points above its average. They also shot 5-of-11 from 3-point range, reminiscent of the end of the Bowling Green game when the Falcons hit several clutch 3-pointers.
The fact they shot (58 percent) is unacceptable Groce said. We didn't defend well enough.
I assure you, we're going to start defending better or some heads are going to roll. Mine first.
Four players scored in double-figures for Central Michigan.
Jacolby Hardiman Robbie Harman and Jordan Bitzer scored 20
19 and 14 points respectively for the Chippewas.
I thought they made big plays, Groce said. I thought they showed toughness.
We've got to take more pride in defending the basketball.
Not known for its defense, Central Michigan (6-12, 3-3 Mid-Amercan Conference), last in the conference in defense, contained Jerome Tillman. The senior forward had just 10 points and five rebounds for the Bobcats.
They were taking the five man and shadowing Jerome
Groce said. We scored plenty of points. I've got no problems with our offense.
Ohio (10-9, 3-3 MAC) trailed by six with 4:41 to go after two free throws from Washington, but couldn't string enough good plays together to make a serious run at the Chippewas.
The Bobcats missed several lay-ups and shot 5-of-9 from the free throw line.
It didn't give us a chance to make a run at the end
Groce said.
The loss dropped the Bobcats into a three-way tie with the Falcons and Akron for third place in the MAC East, two games behind first-place Buffalo.
2
Sports
Matt O'Donnell
