Armon Bassett doesn't want to use youth and inexperience as an excuse for being out-played by conference rivals.
Following Ohio's 79-67 loss at Miami Saturday, the junior guard said it's time for the Bobcats to mature and realize that how they come out in the second half is crucial.
Some people don't understand that
Bassett said. We came out - (Miami) hit us in the mouth.
It seemed as though every freshmen had trouble in Ohio's putrid second half.
D.J. Cooper, normally a rock for the Bobcats this season scored only nine points after scoring 13 in the first half. The RedHawks (5-11, 2-1 Mid-American Conference) held Cooper scoreless for the first 11 minutes of the second half.
Miami held Cooper to 3-9 shooting from the field, with all three field goals coming as 3-pointers. That was after shooting 5-7 in the first half.
The RedHawks' Julian Mavunga said Miami made adjustments at halftime to stop Ohio's freshman.
(Cooper) just came out and he was on fire Mavunga said about Cooper's play in the first half. He's not scared to shoot the ball. He's not scared to let it fly so we knew we had to guard him.
Miami coach Charlie Coles said he knew Ohio might have had a meltdown in the second half because of its inexperience.
Any time I've had freshmen who start on the road when they've had a good first half
it's almost impossible to let them know that that's probably not going to be there the second half
Coles said.
Still, Ohio coach John Groce echoed Bassett, calling the Bobcats second-half effort disappointing.
I thought (the RedHawks) were tougher
nastier
more physical
the rebounding margin
the paint touches
the loose balls
he said. The physical type of plays that need to be made to win a high-level (Mid-American Conference) basketball game
