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Simmons, Kaminski, Mompremier lead Ohio to season-opening win

Bobcats defeat Florida Gulf Coast, 85-75


ATHENS – Jaaron Simmons had 20 points, Kenny Kaminski scored 17, and Wadly Mompremier posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds as Ohio won its season-opener, 85-75, against Florida Gulf Coast on Saturday at The Convo.

Kaminski also was a rebound shy of a double-double, and Antonio Campbell had 11 points and six rebounds despite foul trouble that eventually disqualified him. Simmons had seven assists.

The Bobcats (1-0) did not shoot well from the outside, but found plenty of success inside and at the foul line. Despite going just 4-of-22 on 3-pointers, Ohio was 28-of-58 overall (48.3 percent) and made 25-of-34 free throws (73.5 percent).

"We're just going to keep getting better each game," Simmons said. "We're still a young team, so the ball movement and the shots that's all going to come with time."

Most of Campbell’s points came early, and his layup gave the Bobcats a 19-18 lead. He then added a 3-pointer to extend the lead to four.

The Bobcats had a key run late in the first half, with Mike Laster’s layup putting Ohio up 33-30 with 3:34 to go. Simmons followed with two straight layups and then assisted on another Laster bucket to make it 39-30. After FGCU cut into its deficit, Kaminski drained a fade away jumper at the buzzer to make it 43-36.

After Campbell scored to open the second half, the Eagles made their biggest run – nine straight points – with Antravious Simmons tying the game at 45.

Mompremier ended the run with a layup after an offensive rebound, and Treg Setty had a steal for a layup.

After a Simmons free throw, Khari Harley hit a 3-pointer to push Ohio’s lead to 61-52 with 11:56 remaining, as the Bobcats scored 10 in a row. Simmons add two more free throws, and Kaminski scored two layups to make it 67-52 with 9:07 to go.

Ohio’s lead was between nine and 15 the rest of the way until a late FGCU run. Marc-Eddy Norelia’s jump shot made it 76-68 with 2:14 to go, and Christian Terrell got a layup to make it a six-point game at the 1:41 mark.

The Bobcats committed a turnover, but forced a miss, and Simmons hit a pair of free throws for Ohio. Mompremier hit two more at the foul line to make it a 10-point game again with only 43 seconds left, and the Eagles only got as close as 82-75 after that.

Mompremier was the big difference maker for the Bobcats. In two previous season with Ohio, he had only 33 points and 37 rebounds total. Having overcome Chrone’s disease and appendicitis, he looked like a different player, making 4-of-5 shots and 4-of-6 free throws.

"Wadly was everywhere," Ohio coach Saul Phillips said. "I can't tell you how much fun it is seeing a guy out there do some of the things he always told me he could, but I wasn't always sure that he could. I have to see it. I can't take for granted that it's going to happen. He's really flashed very recently here. It's a monster; it's becoming its own entity. I could see the Wadly merchandising coming around the corner."

Setty had nine points, and Laster finished with eight points for Ohio.

Mompremier said Simmons made it easy for everyone else.

"Jaaron is not looking score," Mompremier said. "He's different. He's looking to pass first, and that's what I love about him. He loves to pass to us more than getting points. Who wouldn't love a point guard that passes you the ball?"

Ohio’s freshmen had a tough start, with Taylor, Jordan Dartis, Gavin Block and James Gollon combining for just three points on 0-for-4 shooting in 23 combined minutes. Ellis Dozier did not play.

Norelia led the Eagles with 21 points and nine rebounds, and Julian DeBose had 16 points and five assists. Cleared to play by the NCAA just last night, Antravious Simmons scored 12 points and had seven rebounds.

FGCU shot relatively well, going 29-of-65 (44.6 percent) from the floor, but also was not sharp from deep, making 4-of-16 3-pointers. The Eagles made 12 less free throws than the Bobcats, going 13 of 18.

The Bobcats had more turnovers, 13-8, but also more offensive rebounds, 13-8, and total rebounds, 44-31.

Ohio has just one day off before hosting Tennessee State at 7 p.m. Monday at The Convo. Then the Bobcats will take off for the Virgin Islands for the Paradise Jam beginning Friday.








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