Willis, Bobcats explode for 99 points in blowout of Blue Demons
Ohio scores 55 points in 2nd half in Hawaii
By Lonnie McMillan / Contributor Tuesday, December 23, 2014
HONOLULU - Ohio left no doubt it put a terrible offensive second half behind it with its best offensive performance in four years, routing DePaul 99-78 in the consolation round of the Diamond Head Classic on Tuesday at the Stan Sheriff Center.
Javarez Willis connected on seven 3-pointers to score a career-high 31 points, and four other Bobcats scored in double-figures as Ohio (4-5) shot 59.4 percent.
Ryan Taylor scored 17 points, and Maurce Ndour (15 points, 10 rebounds) and Antonio Campbell (10 points, 10 boards) both had double-doubles. Treg Setty was a rebound shy of being the third Ohio player with a double-double with 17 points and nine boards.
The performance followed a 25-percent shooting second half in a loss to George Washington a day before. The Bobcats more than doubled their scoring output of 49 points against the Colonials.
Darrick Wood led DePaul (6-6) with 15 points. Tommy Hamilton and Billy Garrett each finished with 13 points.
Ohio scored 11 straight points late in the first half to go up 44-30 at halftime. It got even better from there, scoring 55 points in the second half while shooting 63.3 percent.
With a 51-38 led, the Bobcats took off with a 16-5 run that put them up 68-43 with 11:54 remaining. Willis' final 3-pointer began an 8-0 Ohio run. Ndour completed a three-point play, and then was on the receiving end of an alley-oop pass from Treg Setty for a second time, giving the Bobcats their biggest lead 95-68.
From the start, Ohio was sharp on offense. After the Blue Demons scored the opening basket, the Bobcats came back with nine straight. Wills drained a 3-pointer that made it 24-12 in favor of Ohio at the 11:10 mark.
DePaul closed the deficit to two at 29-27, but the Bobcats closed the half with a 15-3 run.
The Bobcats had a 16-2 advantage in fast break points and had more points in the paint, 44-24. The Blue Demons had more turnovers, 15-10, and Ohio turned those turnovers into 26 points.
Willis was 11-of-18 overall, making all four of his non 3-point tries, and had a game-high six assists with only one turnover. Ndour added four assists and three steals.
Ohio plays the winner of Nebraska and Loyola Marymount at either 1:30 or 4 p.m. Christmas Day.
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