After a sub-par first half filled with missed shots, the Bobcats showed why they are the defending Mid-American Conference champions.
Ohio started the second half on an 18-7 run and pulled away from Delaware, winning 88-69 in its season opener Saturday afternoon at The Convo.
The best thing that happened to us today was that things didn't go great for us in the first half
coach John Groce said. We were able to weather that ... we just kind of played. We didn't get rattled.
The fans seemed eager for a reason to be excited during a tight, slow-moving opening 20 minutes that finished with the Bobcats leading 35-33. It didn't take long after the break for Ohio to give the crowd many plays to cheer.
A steal and layup by sophomore D.J. Cooper started the half, and Ivo Baltic and Reggie Keely added back-to-back fastbreak dunks, both on passes from Cooper. Delaware immediately took a timeout as the crowd erupted.
We were able to get several stops in a row that got us out running and we were able to get on a surge there Groce said. I thought that was the difference in the game.
Ohio kept the pressure on the Blue Hens, as it scored 24 points in the first six minutes of the half to take a double-digit lead it wouldn't concede.
(Groce) emphasized how the first four minutes is very important and try to crack them and turn our intensity up and play 'D'
Cooper said.
Cooper scored a game-high 25 points and added seven assists, five rebounds and three steals.
After a 2-for-6 first half, Keely hit six of his seven shots in the second half and finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
Hopefully it's a sign of things to come
Keely said about his double-double. But I'm just focused on what coach is telling me what to do ... and that's rebound and score inside.
The Bobcats pounded the ball in the paint all game. Despite DeVaughn Washington not playing because of a suspension, the Bobcats worked the ball to Keely and Baltic often. It worked much better in the second half as well, as Ohio shot 56 percent, as opposed to only 37 percent before the break.
I wasn't real happy with the way we weren't able to get it in there last weekend ... we weren't big enough in there and we didn't demand it
Groce said. We worked all week on feeding the post
ducking in
being a big presence in there and it paid off for these guys.
The Bobcats host Oakland tonight in their second game of the season.
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