Browns: Who are these freaking guys?
December 14, 2015Ohio Bobcats drop Cleveland State to 2-7
December 14, 2015The week started off well for the Buckeyes, but it ended with a lopsided loss in their first true road game of the season. Ohio State’s rollercoaster of an early season continued last week:
Ohio State makes it look easy in 74-50 win over Air Force
The Air Force Academy may have had a better record than the scarlet and gray heading into Tuesday night, but the Buckeyes cruised past the Falcons, holding a 37-16 lead at halftime and giving their entire bench some playing time in the win. Ohio State outscored Air Force 24-5 in the final 13:19 of the first half, a stretch that included 6:44 of scoreless ball for the Falcons. The Buckeyes stifling defense Tuesday night held Air Force to shoot slightly over 33 percent from the floor and just under 27 percent from three-point land. Air Force’s 50 points were the lowest allowed by Ohio State so far this season.
Following the game, head coach Thad Matta made sure to compliment the defense that the Bucks played. “We really did the job we were supposed to do and how we were supposed to do it,” Matta said. “The offense that Air Force runs is based off timing and we did a good job being disruptive. That’s how this team has to play.”
Marc Loving (18 points, 10 rebounds) recorded his second consecutive double-double and the third of his career. He has also made a three-pointer in every game so far this season. JaQuan Lyle (12 points, 5 rebounds, two assists, one steal) and Jae’Sean Tate (11 points, four rebounds, two steals) also scored in double-digits for the Buckeyes.
Things were going so well for Loving that he even made a buzzer beater to end the first half. “On the play I was the third or fourth option, but I just came off of the down screen and was able to get to a spot on the floor where I could take the shot. Even though it wasn’t really a high percentage shot it felt really good to see the ball go in,” Loving said of his buzzer beater.
Buckeyes dig themselves too big a hole, lose at UConn, 75-55
For the Buckeyes first true road game of the season Saturday afternoon, they waited a bit too long to start playing well. Ohio State trailed 45-24 at the break after a first half that saw Connecticut shoot 62 percent from the floor and included an 18-4 Husky run. The Buckeyes came out of the locker room and went on an 11-2 run in the first eight minutes, but UConn eventually widen the margin to put the game away for good. Even though Ohio State outscored the Huskies, 31-30 in the final 20 minutes, it was a little too late for the scarlet and gray.
Even Matta had kind words for the Huskies play in the first half.
“That was one of the best first halves of basketball I’ve seen in a long time,” the head coach said. “They had the pace going and we just couldn’t stop it.”
UConn shot 60 percent from the field, something that they have not done in almost three years, while only two Buckeyes scored in double-digits in the debacle: Jae’Sean Tate (15 points) and Marc Loving (14 points, six rebounds).
Coming up this week:
Tuesday vs. Northern Illinios (7-1), 7:00 p.m. ET
Saturday at No. 5 Kentucky (9-1), 3:30 p.m. ET