Ohio lost to Eastern Michigan 66-57 on Tuesday night inside The Convo. The loss is the Bobcats’ fourth straight and the first time all season their record is below .500.
The Bobcats started strong, jumping out to a 12-0 lead, not like Saturday’s loss to Miami. Instead of continuing to build onto the lead, Ohio let Eastern Michigan back in and could never regain the lead in the second half.
Teyvion Kirk led the Bobcats (11-12, 3-8 Mid-American Conference) with 18 points, but they had trouble slowing down guard Elijah Minnie, who had 19 for the Eagles (11-13, 5-6 MAC).
Here are the stats that mattered:
12-0
Ohio played with as much energy and excitement in the opening six minutes as it has played in the last four games. It was effectively disrupting the Eagles’ 2-3 zone and getting into the point. After that point, Eastern Michigan took over, and controlled the tempo and game.
The Bobcats did make it a nine point game, but not until there were under 30 seconds left in the game.
3
Bench points from Ohio. If the starting five isn’t getting it done, and the bench isn’t helping the cause, it’s hard to find any momentum to stop a losing skid. That was the case Tuesday night in The Convo. The points came off of an Antonio Cowart 3-pointer, who didn’t start against the Eagles. The absence of James Gollon and Jordan Dartis continue to weigh heavy on the Bobcats’ bench play.
4
Ohio lost its fourth straight game Tuesday night at The Convo. It’s also the fourth straight game that its scored 60 points or less. At the start of the game there was promise, by the end it seemed as if the loss to Eastern Michigan may be the low point of the Bobcats season.
Coach Saul Phillips contract expiration continues to loom as the Bobcats continue to lose games. They play next on the road Saturday afternoon at Central Michigan.
