If there was ever a game Ohio needed D.J. Cooper to be at his best, it was Tuesday vs. Illinois State. Cooper had a huge night going for 29 points, 8 assists, 6 steals, and 5 rebounds as the Bobcats defeated the Red Birds 67-65.
The game was back and forth with no team possessing a lead greater than 8 the entire night.
One teams strength was the other's weakness. Illinois State had a huge rebounding edge vs. Ohio as they out-rebounded Ohio 43-30. But Ohio negated their rebounding deficit by forcing 18 turnovers by Illinois State.
The game went right down to the wire as D.J. Cooper hit the game winning basket with 31 seconds left in the second half. Illinois State went for the win instead of the tie attempting two three pointers on their final possession but neither went in and they went on to lose.
Cooper had another big game for Ohio but that wasn't the big news from tonight's game. Cooper always seems to bring his A game.
The big news for Ohio from this game was the emergence of Nick Kellogg. Kellogg went off against the Red Birds. He had 19 points and shot 5-7 from behind the arc. If the Bobcats can get more production like tonight from Kellogg, they will be a very dangerous team come March.
Ohio should value their win against Illinois State. The Red Birds are a good mid-major team out of the Missouri Valley Conference. They entered today 6-2 and they have been a very solid team in past years.
Two players that stood out tonight from Illinois State tonight were Tony Lewis and Jackie Carmichael. Lewis recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds and Carmichael scored 16 points and pulled down 8 rebounds.
With the win, Ohio moves to 5-3 and next plays December 12th at home vs. IUPUI
Attendance: 4,027
Ohio's Record: 5-3
Next Game: vs. IUPUI (12/12)
Key Fact: Nick Kellogg shot 5-7 from 3 point land
Interesting Note: D.J. Cooper scored over 20 points for the third straight game
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