Men's basketball: Tillman muscles Bobcats to win over Eastern Michigan

A trip home was exactly what the Bobcats needed.

After losing three straight to teams with a combined record of 29-35, Ohio did what it needed to against two of the worst teams in the Mid-American Conference, including a 57-45 win over a 3-20 Eastern Michigan team in The Convo on Saturday.

Before the three-game skid, the Bobcats sat atop the MAC East and had won 6-of-7.

But a surprising loss to Bowling Green at home combined with road losses to Central Michigan and Ball State dropped Ohio into a tie for last place in its division.

While the wins came in two very different ways, they were wins nonetheless, which put the Bobcats (12-10, 5-4 MAC) over .500 again in the MAC.

I thought we had a lot of guys really locked in

coach John Groce said following the win against the Eagles.

Following an easy 89-59 victory over Northern Illinois on Thursday, the Bobcats would have to earn their 12th victory.

Eastern Michigan forced Ohio to play at its pace - a slowed down grinding offense - which kept the Eagles within striking distance for most of the game. But with just less than seven minutes to play and Ohio leading by seven, forward Jerome Tillman would deal the decisive blow.

Sometimes the game is going to be like that Tillman said. We just needed a couple of stops here and there.

With 6:46 remaining, Tillman, who had been held to just nine points, hit a jumper to put Ohio up, 46-37.

Tommy Freeman got a steal and got the ball to Kenneth van Kempen, who found Tillman in the post. Tillman then made the basket, was fouled and let out a yell. He would make the following free throw to put Ohio up, 49-37.

Eastern Michigan would not get closer than nine the rest of the way.

(Saturday) was more of a grinder Groce said. It's difficult sometimes to get in a free-flowing game.