The road has been the Bobcats' enemy all season long, and it was no different yesterday.
Ohio couldn't stop Western Michigan and lost its fourth straight road game, 76-62, at University Arena in Kalamazoo, Mich.
The Bobcats are now 0-5 on the road against teams with losing records.
The Broncos shot 54 percent from the field, including 50 percent from 3-point range on their way to a season-high 76 points.
David Kool was especially hard for the Bobcats to stop. He scored a game-high 24 points on 6-of-12 shooting.
But despite the defensive woes, Ohio played well offensively.
The Bobcats shot 50 percent from the field and 3-point range and had four players in double-figures.
The Broncos, however, were just too much for Ohio to keep up with.
When we play well offensively
we've got to play as well defensively coach John Groce said. We've got to find a way to (play well on both sides of the court) and we need to find it in a hurry.
One positive for the Bobcats was the play of Tommy Freeman.
The sophomore guard scored a season-high 20 points, including an eye-popping 6-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Tommy has shot the ball well for us Groce said. Tonight
he had it going a little bit.
But that was about the only bright spot on the day for Ohio.
The loss dropped the Bobcats into the sole position of last place in the Mid-American Conference East Division, three and a half games behind Buffalo, with six conference games to play.
Ohio was in desperate need for a win, but was forced to battle from behind for virtually the entire game.
The Bobcats hadn't led in the game since the first three minutes of the game, but clawed to within three, 34-31, on Freeman's 3-pointer to start the second half.
But Kool answered Freeman's 3-pointer with one of his own to push the lead back to six for the Broncos.
By the 14-minute mark, that Western Michigan lead had ballooned to 15 at 52-37.
The Bobcats would not seriously threaten for the rest of the game.
What we've got to get into these guys' head is that it's tough to beat times no matter if its on the road
at home or a neutral court
Groce said.
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Sports
Matt O'Donnell
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