Though expected to be a much-needed playmaker for the Ohio offense, Bert Whittington IV showed he could do more than just set his teammates up Saturday against Mercyhurst.
In his first game and start for the Bobcats, the junior college transfer showed off his ability from long range, knocking down four 3-point field goals and tallying 15 points to lead Ohio to a 72-45 victory over the Lakers.
I'm very comfortable right now
Whittington IV said. Obviously we won and we played as a team. We had a motto 'Teamwork is dream work
' and it happened tonight.
Guard Bubba Walther, who played the point much of last season, saw some action at his former position, with Ohio's other point guard, Michael Allen, suspended for violating the university's alcohol policy during the summer.
The senior totaled 15 points and led the team with five assists, and said that his experience running the point last year proved valuable against the Lakers.
Even though I struggled last year at the point
I think tonight it helped me
Walther said. I knew what to do more often than last year.
Forward Justin Orr scored 11 points in his debut with the 'Cats, showcasing his versatility with four assists, five rebounds and a 3-point basket.
I just try to play with high energy and to get in there and do a lot of good things for the team
Orr said. Good things will happen
especially today.
Ohio went on a 9-0 run to start the game and did not look back, never trailing throughout the entirety of the game. After Mercyhurst shot 42 percent from the field in the first half, the Lakers shot just 21 percent in the second half.
I thought in the second half
(our defense) got better
coach Tim O'Shea said. I thought in the second half
we relaxed a little bit
