Saturday's loss to Kent State represented an all-too-familiar trend in Ohio's season.
During the 69-66 defeat to the Golden Flashes - Ohio's seventh home loss of the season - the Bobcats played two contrasting spans of basketball.
I thought for the first 25 minutes for sure
they were the tougher team coach John Groce said. Then the last 15 minutes I was really proud of our team and the way they fought
their sense of urgency. I thought at that point they really started to value every possession on both ends.
The Bobcats (8-9, 1-2 Mid-American Conference) allowed Kent State to shoot 56 percent in the first half and fell behind by 10 points. The Flashes went into halftime with a six-point advantage, and extended it to 42-34 four minutes after the break.
But much like they have done all season, the Bobcats came back in the second half. The defense tightened and pressured every Kent possession.
I thought we played with more energy and toughness (in the second half). That gave us a chance to win the ball game
Groce said. Then down the stretch we didn't make enough plays...they did more than we did at the end
and I think that was the difference.
All season, Ohio has played well in spurts but has had trouble extending that to a further period of time. The Bobcats haven't been blown out often, but they've struggled to win close games, evident by their 1-4 record in games decided by five points or fewer.
Groce has stressed the importance of toughness and playing a full game. But for the time being, the team continues to struggle to execute that plan.
I thought our guys really battled. I thought they really competed the last 15 minutes of the game (Saturday)
Groce said. But again
the games are so close
you need 40 minutes of that. We've got to find a way to have that sense of urgency for 40 minutes
not 15.
Rebounding problems
Kent State hammered the Bobcats in the rebounding department Saturday, collecting 38 to Ohio's 25. The Flashes also had more offensive rebounds (18) than Ohio did defensive (15).
When you play a good team like Kent and you give them 18 offensive rebounds to your 10
that's eight more possessions they get in a game than you get
