ATHENS – Ohio topped 90 points for the second game in a row, downing Western Michigan 91-71 on Tuesday night at The Convo.

The Bobcats (13-11, 7-5 Mid-American Conference) put all five starters in double figures and built a 16-point lead, controlling the game against the Broncos (8-14, 2-8 MAC). Jackson Paveletzke and Javan Simmons each had 17 points to lead the way. Ohio shot 51.7% for the game and made 13 of 32 3-pointers. It has won two straight after losing four of five.

"I challenged our seniors after our Kent State game; how do you want to end this thing? The commitment level is there; the investment is there," Ohio coach Jeff Boals said. "When you get to February, teams are going up, or they're going down. And, you know, knock on wood, our teams normally play the best basketball heading into March. We got to keep it going."

Jayden Brewer had a game-high 20 points for Western Michigan. Jalen Griffith added 19 points and Carson Vis added 14 points, but the rest of the game combined for 18 points.

Western Michigan never led but hung close for the first eight minutes. Jesse Burris and Kiir Kuany hit back-to-back 3-pointers that sparked a 14-3 run that also included a pair of Dior Conners treys and gave Ohio a 31-19 lead.

A short time later, the Bobcats went on an 11-0 run and took a 42-22 lead on a JJ Kelly layup. Ohio led 44-28 at halftime.

A pair of Paveletzke free throws extended the advantage to 53-32 early in the second half. The closest the Broncos got after that was 74-60 on a Brewer jumper with six minutes remaining.

Aidan Hadaway finished with 15 points and eight rebounds. Kelly scored 13 points, and Ajay Sheldon went 4-for-5 on 3-pointers and scored 12 points.

“You expect to have ups and downs when you're shooting a lot of 3s," Sheldon said. "I think you're going to have games where you're 0-for-5, and you have games where you're 5-for-5. I think it's normal to have either."

The Bobcats hit the road to take on Old Dominion at 7 p.m. Saturday in the second half of the MAC-Sun Belt Conference Challenge.