CLEVELAND - For one of the few times this season, the Ohio men's basketball team's bench was outmatched. To make things worse, the letdown happened to take place during Ohio's most crucial game of the season.
The No. 5-seed Bobcats' were beaten by the No. 1-seed Kent State Golden Flashes, 72-59 in the semifinals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament. Kent's superior depth was the main reason Ohio's run at a second straight MAC Tournament Championship was cut short. Kent's bench supplied the team with 20 points compared to Ohio's eight. Foul trouble on Kent's Nate Gerwig and DeAndre Haynes forced the Golden Flashes to go their bench early, but the team didn't miss a step when the MAC Sixth-Man of the Year, Kevin Warzynski, and backup point guard Jordan Mincy played in their spots. They have depth
experience and talent but depth is definitely one of their strengths coach Tim O'Shea said. If this team wins tomorrow (MAC Championship) night
they can are capable of winning their first-round game in the NCAA Tournament.
The eight points the Ohio bench scored came off a Johnnie Jackson three-pointer guard Whitney Davis' three free throws and one layup. Ohio forward Jerome Tillman was kept scoreless in his 12 minutes of playing time. Offense cooled off After outscoring their opposition by double-digits in their last three games, the Bobcats hot shooting was doused out by the Golden Flashes' defense.
Ohio only made six-of-20 three-pointers and shot a meager 37 percent from the field. The Bobcats only made 17 shots from the floor with 19 of their points coming from free throws.
We missed some chippies inside and some open threes
senior guard Jeff Halbert said. Had we been able to score some baskets
the game might have went another way.
The Bobcats also struggled to get easy baskets, and forced only eight Kent State turnovers. Ohio tallied just three points off turnovers. Kent State, on the other hand, put in 20 off 19 Ohio turnovers.
We had some lulls when we didn't score and they played well and made baskets - that's the game of basketball
senior guard Mychal Green said. We made some bad decisions
but that's the way it goes sometimes.
'Cats looking to get lucky for postseason play The Bobcats are uncertain if they have a chance at playing again this season, but are remaining optimistic. With a record of 19-11, O'Shea said that he is hopeful that his team could get an invitation to the NIT.
Maybe there is an outside chance that we show up in the NIT
some people told me we had a shot and that would be wonderful if we had a chance to continue our season next week
O'Shea said. We will just have to wait and see on Sunday.
With the MAC's reputation of being a one-team conference in the NCAA Tournament, the only chances of postseason play would be getting into the NIT. The chances of getting an invite to the NIT, however, look slim for Ohio with many mid-major teams losing ground in their chances for the NCAA Tournament, and will be left grasping for a shot in the NIT. For now, all the Bobcats can do now is wait, and hope. The selections for the NIT will be announced Sunday night after the NCAA Tournament selections are made.
