Buckeyes blow past Bearcats

Second-half surge leads Ohio State to first win in Cincinnati since 1920

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

Ohio State knew what awaited when the Buckeyes agreed to help Cincinnati reopen its on-campus arena. It was even louder than expected until the closing seconds, when the Bearcats fans were silently filing out.

With a solid effort, the visitors from up north spoiled the party.

Kaleb Wesson scored 15 points, and C.J. Jackson hit a driving bank shot and a pair of free throws in the final 30 seconds Wednesday night as Ohio State held on for a 64-56 victory on the Bearcats’ long-awaited night.

“I thought it would be a great environment,” coach Chris Holtmann said. “I don’t know that I anticipated this environment — it was tremendous. I’m sure at times it was not always aesthetically pleasing, two defensive teams that struggled a little offensively.”

Cincinnati (0-1) played last season at Northern Kentucky University — losing only once — while its on-campus arena underwent a 20-month renovation. The Bearcats held a pregame celebration — former Bearcat star Kenyon Martin roused the crowd of 12,012 with a dunk — but couldn’t make a shot when it counted.

The Buckeyes (1-0) were ahead for all but the opening minutes, leading by as many as 16 points. Jarron Cumberland led the Bearcats with 22 points.

“It hurts a lot,” said Cumberland, who was 0 for 3 and failed to score as Ohio State took control in the first half. “I don’t like losing, period. It doesn’t matter if it’s the first game.”

Ohio State hadn’t played in Cincinnati since Jan. 3, 1920, with the Buckeyes winning 35-13.

The two schools located 110 miles apart had played only four times in the last 97 years, all in tournaments.

The Bearcats went more than 8 minutes between field goals as Ohio State pulled ahead 14-8. The Bearcats heard a few boos at the half after going 4 of 29 from the field with six turnovers and trailing 27-18.

Andre Wesson’s 3-pointer completed an 11-2 spurt that pushed Ohio State’s lead to 38-22.

The Buckeyes also led by 16 points with 5:23 left.

Cumberland hit a pair of free throws, a jumper and a 3-pointer that cut it to 60-56 with 59 seconds left.

The Bearcats missed their next two shots, and Jackson made a driving bank shot to end the comeback. He finished with 13 points.

“I know people don’t want to hear this because you’re going to ask me about offense, but Ohio State scored 27 in the first half and if we’d held them to 27 in the second half we would have won by two,” coach Mick Cronin said.

“So we’re capable of that.”

LEAVING COLUMBUS

The Buckeyes are 25-1 against Ohio teams since the 1995-96 season, the only loss 60-59 to Dayton in the 2014 NCAA Tournament.

The Buckeyes’ last true road game against an Ohio team was an 89-86 loss at University of Dayton Arena on Dec. 16, 1986.

Overall, Ohio State is 175-30 in Columbus against Ohio teams, 50-41 in road games and 8-8 at neutral sites.

UP NEXT

Ohio State hosts Fort Wayne on Sunday.

Cincinnati hosts North Carolina Central on Tuesday.