Ohio State Grinds to Win Over Miami (OH) 72-59 in Final Non-Conference Game

By Jimmy Longo on December 30, 2017 at 2:00 pm
Keita Bates-Diop
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It was a grind game off a holiday break, but the Buckeyes got it done. Ohio State defeated the Miami (OH) Redhawks in a tougher than anticipated matchup Saturday afternoon at Value City Arena, 72-59.

It wasn't easy early. The Buckeyes started just 3-16 from the floor in the first 11:27 for the first half.

As the first half wore on, they started to heat up a little bit, shooting 7-of-10 the rest of the half as both teams started to settle in. C.J Jackson and Keita Bates-Diop led the way in scoring for the Buckeyes with eight points apiece. Kaleb Wesson chipped in with seven points and four rebounds as well. 

TEAM 1 2 F
OHIO STATE 35 37 72
MIAMI (OH) 28 31 59

The Buckeyes were able to get their biggest lead of the half of 19-11 at 8:19, but that was quickly answered by an 8-2 run two threes and a lay-in for the Red Hawks to bring it to 21-19. The rest of the half saw things go back-and-forth for the most part, as Ohio State would outscore Miami the rest of the way 14-9.

Though Miami would hang around during the early portion of the second half, Ohio State got into a groove that would provide the difference the rest of the way. A 12-2 run at 18:40 gave them the biggest lead of the afternoon at that point with a 49-32 advantage, though Miami would answer.

The Redhawks went on their own run, going 13-1 to make cut Ohio State's lead to five at 10:07, resonating with the theme of the afternoon of neither team being able to decisively either hold a lead or get over the hump.

Overall, the Redhawks didn't shoot well (22-60), but the shots they made were crucial to keeping the game relatively close.

After struggling to get good looks early, Ohio State salvaged the shooting effort, going 23-55 (41.8%) and shooting 8-20 from three. 

OHIO STATE STAT MIAMI (OH)
72 POINTS 59
23-55 (41.8%) FGM-FGA (PCT.) 22-60 (36.7%)
12-20 (40.0%) 3PM-3PA (PCT.) 9-33 (27.3%)
18-23 (78.3%) FTM-FTA (PCT.) 6-7 (85.7%)
11 TURNOVERS 14
36 TOTAL REBOUNDS 38
9 OFFENSIVE REBOUNDS 11
27 DEFENSIVE REBOUNDS 27
4 BENCH POINTS 15
5 BLOCKS 1
4 STEALS 5
10 ASSISTS 11

Keita Bates-Diop was big down the stretch of the second half for the Buckeyes. He finished with 19 points on 6-17 shooting and nine rebounds. 11 of those points came in the second half.

Bates-Diop was one of four Buckeyes in double figures on the afternoon.

C.J. Jackson also chipped in with 16 points, five rebounds and 6 assists, with one of those being a key dish to Kam Williams for a corner three at 4:33 to stretch the lead back to nine. Williams had his best game of the year, shooting 5-8 from three point range for 15 points.

Finally, Jae'Sean Tate finished with 11, highlighted by this baseline drive and jam to put Ohio State up by 13 at 69-56.

Miami was lead by Bam Bowman in the loss with 15 points and four rebounds.

Ohio State will have a little break in the schedule before getting back at it. They resume Big Ten play in the new year with a tough road game Thursday Jan. 4 at Iowa at 7 p.m.

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