Redshirt junior guard Javarez “Bean” Willis has a knack for netting key shots.
He has proven that several times in close games this season and delivered again Saturday in a 56-54 win against Wright State in the second round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.
Willis’ shining moment occurred with 1:02 remaining as he hit a 3-pointer to put Ohio ahead 51-50. He then converted a layup on the following play, before two free throws from redshirt sophomore forward Treg Setty sealed the win.
“That’s a confident shot,” coach Jim Christian said. “That’s a shot he wouldn’t have taken three weeks ago, it’s a shot he wouldn’t have taken a week ago, two weeks ago. But now he’s playing. (Willis) got us going (Saturday) when we were really in a stagnant state.”
Willis, a Homer, La. native, tied a career high with 21 points after knocking down five of six 3-pointers. He was the only Bobcat to finish with double-digit points and played well while senior guards Travis Wilkins and Nick Kellogg struggled to get their shots to fall.
“I actually think when Nick and Travis are struggling to hit shots and stuff like that, I believe that they look for me,” Willis said. “So when I hit a couple shots, they always come back to me and they tell me, ‘Hey, keep shooting it, keep shooting it.’ ”
Christian lamented after the game that because players’ health has hindered the Bobcats, they haven’t practiced live situations in a month. Consequently, receiving quality minutes from underclassmen is one reason why he sees Ohio’s postseason games as valuable.
Freshman forward Antonio Campbell and Setty combined for 15 points and 10 rebounds.
“These (CIT) games for Treg, for Bean for (Campbell), for (Maurice Ndour), they’re games you can take moments and build from,” Christian said. “There’s things that you have to understand and learn from the games so you don’t make the same decisions next time around.”
Wright State began the game with a 13-2 lead in the opening minutes, but Ohio eventually came back, fueled by Willis’ two 3-pointers that put the Bobcats down just 21-20 at halftime. It was the Bobcats’ lowest-scoring half this season.
After trailing by five points with five minutes remaining in the contest, Ohio turned up its offensive intensity and proceeded to outscore Wright State 13-6 in the closing minutes to keep its tournament hopes alive.
The win gave the Bobcats their 25th victory of the season, which is a feat that has only been accomplished three times in program history. Setty said there is a buzz in Ohio’s locker room and that the Bobcats are focused on winning the CIT.
“It’s just a different feeling right now because at this point in time, especially in my career, this time is when you’re lifting weights with the team … it’s just become really, really fun, and we just want to keep moving it forward and keep winning.”
With the win, the Bobcats have advanced to the quarterfinals and will host another game Wednesday against Virginia Military Institute.
@Brandon_Kors
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Fast Facts:
CollegeInsider.com Tournament: Second Round
OHIO: 56 (25-11)
Wright State: 54 (21-15)
-Javarez “Bean” Willis tied a career high with 21 points.
-Ohio won its 25th game for the third time in school history.
