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CLEVELAND - In an ugly game, defense gave the Bobcats a chance to play for a pretty prize.
The tandem of DeVaughn Washington and Armon Bassett scored all but eight of the team's points, and the Bobcats never trailed on their way to a 54-42 win against Miami in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament in the Quicken Loans Arena last night.
The Bobcats clinched a chance to play Akron for the MAC Championship today with a berth in the NCAA Tournament at stake.
We earned the right to be here
Bassett said. We earned the right to play tomorrow.
Bassett continued his success in Cleveland. After scoring 38 points Thursday, the junior drove to the basket with ease for the second consecutive game and tallied 28 points.
Constantly getting fouled, Bassett shot 18 free throws and made 15 of them. He has made 31 of his 34 attempts from the line in the past two games.
We finally got our feet under us
Bassett said. Everybody kind of bought into their roles in these last couple weeks.
In a much sloppier game than Thursday's 81-64 victory against Kent State, Ohio's defense held Miami to 34 percent shooting. The Bobcats didn't shoot much better, but Bassett and Washington's relentless attack led to a 24-to-5 advantage in free throws.
I think our guys are playing well because of all their efforts
but most importantly their mindset
said coach John Groce.
The Bobcats led at the break, 21-12, in a low-scoring affair.
The Redhawks and Bobcats seemed to lower the temperature in The Q with their first-half shooting numbers. Neither team shot better than 27 percent. Players on both squads had some bad misses.
Bassett equaled Miami's team total with 12 first-half points.
From start to finish
they outplayed us
said Miami coach Charlie Coles.
The Bobcats picked up where they left off Thursday night by bringing more energy than their opponents. Ohio players drew several offensive fouls and forced 13 Miami turnovers.
D.J. Cooper played his second quiet game in a row after being named MAC Freshman of the Year Wednesday. The freshman made just one of his nine shot attempts and looked out of rhythm.
He is kind of banged up
but he's a warrior
Bassett said. We're confident he's going to be able to make some big-time plays (today).
Akron won both contests with the Bobcats this season. But the Bobcats kept both games close. Groce said his team is confident, but has a lot of respect for the Zips.
They're the champs right now
