Tommy Freeman picked up right where he left off.
After seeing his minutes increase at the end of last season, the sophomore scored 17 points as Ohio defeated Wooster 79-65 Saturday in its first exhibition game.
Coach John Groce said he was not surprised by Freeman's performance.
Honestly
he played like he practiced he said. The thing I like about Tommy is he is an everyday guy.
The Muncie, Ind. native notched three 3-point field goals and had two assists. Last season he started the last four games of the season. Groce opted to continue the trend against the Fighting Scots.
I like his mindset Groce said. He's really able to respond in a positive way.
Jerome Tillman added a game-high 18 points and eight rebounds for Ohio, as Groce's coaching debut was a successful one.
Groce said he was pleased that his team was able to achieve its two pregame goals of competing with energy and playing unselfish basketball.
He added that his wife and family made a bigger deal about his coaching debut than he did.
When the game gets going and the ball's tipped
at that point you kind of lock out everything that's happening other than what's going on between the 94' by 45'
Groce said.
Forward Justin Orr had 12 points and five rebounds off the bench and DeVaughn Washington tallied 11 points in a balanced attack.
We have weapons all over the floor
Tillman said. Everyone contributes something.
The Bobcats displayed their stingy defense against Wooster, holding them to one field goal during the first six and a half minutes of the game.
Wooster, which is a Division III school, shot just 34 percent from the field and had 19 turnovers, 16 in the first half.
The Scots held the rebounding advantage in the first half 23-14, but Ohio responded by grabbing 35 rebounds to Wooster's 15 in the second half.
The Bobcats jumped out to a 14-5 lead and maintained that breathing room throughout the game, expanding its lead to as much as 15 in the first half.
Wooster did not go away in the second half however, cutting the lead to 51-45 early in the second half.
Ohio responded following this temporary lapse with an 11-0 run to erase any hope of a Wooster comeback.
Honestly
I'd like to take credit for that with some magical phrase or word that I said to them
but really they just stepped up
Groce said of his team retaking control of the game. We were disappointed they cut the lead to six
but I love the way they responded.
All three of Ohio's true freshmen saw time, with guard Frankie Dobbs earning the start.
Dobbs totaled five points and five assists. Guards Stacey Waters and Steven Coleman contributed off the bench with three points each.
It was great to get out there in my first college game and get some minutes
Dobbs said. Even if I didn't play a lot of minutes
