PROVIDENCE, R.I. - After an implausible postseason climb, Ohio fell off a Rocky Top.
Tennessee dominated on both sides of the ball and was too much for the Bobcats to handle. The Volunteers beat Ohio 83-68 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
Junior Tommy Freeman's game-high 23 points were not nearly enough as Tennessee shot 57 percent from the field and outscored Ohio 58-12 in the paint.
They were able to impose their will in that area and did a terrific job of that
Ohio coach John Groce said. I thought that was the biggest difference in the game.
Tennessee's tall and athletic backcourt bothered D.J. Cooper and Armon Bassett all day. J.P. Prince and Scotty Hopson attacked Ohio's guards on ball screens and made it tough to get around.
Whenever a Bobcat found a way to the paint, two or three Tennessee defenders collapsed--which forced other guys to try and make plays.
We put the ball in the hands of their forwards Tennessee coach Bruce Pearl said. We didn't want those guards making plays - we had seen them make plays against Georgetown.
I didn't think they could beat us by trying not to let those guys get to the ball screen.
The Volunteers held a double-digit lead for most of the second half but the Bobcats did not go quietly. Freeman and DeVaughn Washington sparked the offense and Ohio closed to within 50-45 after a Freeman 3-pointer with 12:59 to play.
But the Volunteers answered every Bobcat run. A 3-point play and a layup from J.P. Prince extended Tennessee's lead back to 64-49.
The Bobcats hurt themselves by hitting only 14 of 26 free throw attempts.
That's not us, Groce said. That gives me an indication that we just didn't have it.
Bassett never found a rhythm. After carrying Ohio's scoring load for much of its postseason run
the junior tallied just seven points on 2-for-10 shooting from the field.
They knew that Armon liked to get to the paint, distribute the ball, Cooper said. So the coach and the staff over there did a real good job of keeping us out of the paint.
After the Bobcats took an early 18-16 lead
an 18-2 run by the Volunteers turned the game into a 34-20 deficit.
Freeman kept Ohio around
and scored 14 first-half points and hit four 3-pointers
but Tennessee held a 38-27 advantage at halftime.
Despite the loss
Ohio had an extended run through the postseason. The Bobcats won the Mid-American Conference Tournament as the ninth seed - the lowest seed to ever win the title.
The Bobcats clinched a berth in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005 and won their first game in the tournament since 1983.
Groce said the run was a learning experience
and he has work to do to get better for next year.
We're excited about the run that we had and very grateful for the opportunity, Groce said.
But realize that we also have a long way to go.
QUICK STATS
Tennessee 83
OHIO 68
Dunkin' Donuts Center
Attendance: 11
271
Team leaders:
Points: Ohio-Freeman (23)
Tenn.-Prince (18)
Assists: Ohio- Bassett (6)
Tenn. - Maze (9)
Rebounds: Ohio- Washington (8)
Tenn. - Chism
