Box Score

Season Statistics

ATHENS, Ohio -- Joe Reitz scored 15 points and pulled down eight rebounds, but Ohio used a hot-shooting night from the field to beat Western Michigan, 87-55, in the Mid-American Conference opener for both teams. The Bobcats (7-2, 1-0) hit 58.6 percent of their shots, including 11-of-23 from long range, in front of 4,405 at the Convocation Center.

The Broncos (3-8, 0-1) took an early lead, 5-4, on a Brian Snider three-pointer, but then went cold as the Bobcats went on a 14-0 run over 8:19 to build a double-digit lead they would never relinquish. Ohio added a 14-4 run later in the half to build a 20-point lead, 38-18, with 2:49 remaining in the half.

WMU hit just 8-of-25 field goals in the first half while Ohio hit 7-of-15 from behind the three-point line and 17-of-32 overall. The Bobcats also forced 11 first half turnovers by the Broncos that lead to 13 points.

The second half saw Western Michigan improve its shooting percentage to 40.6 percent (13-of-32), but Ohio countered by shooting 65.4 percent (17-of-26) in the second half to keep the Broncos at bay.

Snider joined Reitz in double figures with 10 points and five assists. Freshman Donald Cloutier added a career-high five points and three rebounds while Derek Fracalossi matched his career-high with seven points.

Whitney Davis led the Bobcats with a career-high 16 points followed by Leon Williams 15 points and 11 rebounds.

The Broncos return home for the first time since Dec. 10 on Saturday afternoon against Bowling Green (5-6, 1-0). The Blackout Saturday doubleheader features the women's basketball team against Central Michigan at 2 p.m. and the men's team taking on the Falcons at 4 p.m.