The Ohio men's basketball team struggled to find its game yesterday in The Convo, ultimately falling at home for the first time this season to rival Miami, 73-59.
The Bobcats (12-5, 6-3 MAC) battled with Miami (10-8, 7-3) during the first half, but the RedHawks pulled away convincingly during the final 20 minutes. The loss was Ohio's second defeat in as many games.
I thought (Miami) played great today in terms of a team coming on to somebody else's court executing
making shots and doing a great job at the free-throw line Ohio coach Tim O'Shea said. Miami just was a lot better than we were today.
The RedHawks jumped out to an early advantage, leading the Bobcats by as many as many as eight during the first half. However, in typical Ohio-Miami rivalry fashion, the Bobcats made their own runs to keep it close.
Miami forward Nathan Peavy dominated offensive production during the first half, leading all scorers with 12 points during the first 20 minutes. Peavy finished with a game-high 21 points.
This was a very crucial game Peavy said. They're a good team. They always just offensively explode at anytime. We had to make sure our defense - even when it was a low point in the game for us - played sound because they (Ohio) could just explode at anytime.
Ohio briefly held the lead as the Bobcats and RedHawks traded baskets. Mychal Green provided Ohio with its first lead on a three-pointer with just over five-and-a-half minutes left in the half. Green paced Ohio scorers for the half with nine points.
Forward Jeff Halbert energized the crowd, scoring five straight points at one point, to bring the 'Cats within one. Despite Ohio's rallies and a Whitney Davis three-pointer as the half expired, Miami led going into the break 33-28.
We've just been looking for our rhythm
forward Leon Williams said. We're just not in it right now.
The Bobcats struggled offensively during the second half as Miami pulled away. Although Miami's big men stumbled into foul trouble as the second half began, Ohio could not hit shots to take advantage. The RedHawk lead grew to as much as 17 on several occasions.
For whatever reason we just (had) low energy in the second half
Williams said. We just didn't come out (ready) to play.
We're very fortunate
Miami coach Charlie Coles said. I think (Ohio) might be the most explosive team (in the MAC) in terms of catching you.
Ohio struggled from all aspects of the offensive end as the Bobcat defense yielded basket after basket on the opposite end. Antonio Chatman's three-pointer with 4:30 cut the deficit to a dozen, but Ohio could not mount a sufficient run to overcome Miami's lead.
Miami-Ohio
there's nothing like it
Coles said. (I told my players) anybody that can't be excited about being in 'Bobcatville
' there's something wrong.
The loss was Ohio's first home loss of the season - only the Bobcats second home loss is as many seasons. Ohio's last home loss was a 69-49 defeat to Akron on Feb. 16, 2005.
Ohio next takes the court in The Convo against Kent State on Wednesday.
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