sometimes it's hard to get your guys to be humble
said coach John Groce. I think what happened on Wednesday night... it got our guys attention so our guys had a little bit of an edge to them coming in to tonight's game. It was a big wake-up call for us in terms of the togetherness quotient of our team and the toughness quotient. Newark, Del. - Ohio refused to let history repeat itself when the Bobcats traveled to The University of Delaware on Saturday afternoon.
After suffering an embarrassing 75-66 loss last season to the Blue Hens, Ohio (5-3) ran away with an 86-70 win on Saturday - exactly one year later.
The Bobcats built on the frustration of the loss last year and their loss to Austin Peay on Wednesday coming in to the game against Delaware(2-7).
As crazy as it sounds sometimes it's hard to get your guys to be humble
said coach John Groce. I think what happened on Wednesday night... it got our guys attention so our guys had a little bit of an edge to them coming in to tonight's game. It was a big wake-up call for us in terms of the togetherness quotient of our team and the toughness quotient.
Ohio was in for a physical bout, facing a Delaware team that averages 24 fouls per game and committed 26 against Ohio.
Ohio struggled at first with the physical play of Delaware, but improved as the game went on.
In the first half the Bobcats shot just 5-of-12 from the free throw stripe and struggled to maintain a lead in the game, allowing Delaware to pull within one shot several times after double-digit advantages.
Starters Armon Bassett and DeVaughn Washington also struggled in the first half. Bassett went into the locker room with five points on just 2-of-7 shooting and Washington had as many fouls as he did field goals, two.
The second half was a different story. The Bobcats shot 18-of-21 from the free throw line and pulled away from the Blue Hens
Washington got the Bobcats started just before the half when, with just three second on the clock, he took a lob pass and tipped it in to the basket.
Washington then made three of the first four shots to start the second half, hitting a dunk, alley-oop, and jump shot to go on a roll.
Newly eligible guard Armon Bassett who, playing in just his fourth game with Ohio, scored 27 points in a team high 33 minutes played to lead the Bobcats.
The game against Delaware was by far Bassett's best since the Indiana transfer made his debut against Marshall. Bassett's 27 points eclipsed his previous three game totals combined (20 points).
Bassett, though, showed the humbleness his coach was looking for when asked about his performance.
The most important thing is that we won
said Bassett. I don't care about how I play
I just want to win.
Groce was glad to see the coaching paid off.
The thing I've been most proud of about with him is regardless about how he shot the ball his attitude has been great and his effort on defense has been very good
said Groce. Sometimes people get a little overzealous looking at the stats sheet to determine how well a guy is playing but as coaches we look at it a little bit deeper than that.
The physical play of the game did wear on Ohio as the game drew toward the end when with 5:30 left Kenneth Van Kempen fouled out of the game. Shortly after, with 3:53 left, guard Steven Coleman also left with his fifth foul.
Ohio held on, though, using their bench depth as nine players entered the game, all playing at least 13 minutes.
Ohio will travel back to Athens to face Illinois State on Wednesday.
Quick Stats...
Ohio (5-3, 0-0 MAC) 86, Delaware (2-7, 0-1 CAA) 70
Saturday, Bob Carpenter Center - Newark, Del.
Scoring Leaders
Armon Bassett (Ohio) 10-16, 27 points
DeVaugn Washington (Ohio) 8-10, 21 points
Alphonso Dawson (Delaware) 11-23, 20 points
Rebounding Leaders
Kelvin McNeil (Delaware) 9
Alphonso Dawson (Delaware) 7
Kenneth Van Kempen (Ohio) 7
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Sports
Kyle Grantham
