MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich.
— In a tightly contested matchup on Saturday night, AJ Brown was instrumental in securing a 57-55 win for Ohio against Central Michigan, contributing 14 points to the team’s effort.
Brown displayed a commendable shooting performance, hitting 4 of 9 attempts from the field, including 4 of 7 from beyond the three-point line. He also converted 2 of 4 free throws, helping the Bobcats improve their record to 7-6 overall and kick off their Mid-American Conference play at 1-0.
Jackson Paveletzke was another key player for Ohio, posting 11 points on a 5 of 8 shooting night, though he struggled at the free-throw line, missing all four attempts. He also contributed with five assists. AJ Clayton rounded out the scoring with six points after making 2 of his 7 shots, including failing to connect on any of his four three-point attempts.
On the other side, Jakobi Heady stood out for the Chippewas (6-7, 0-1), leading the scoring with 15 points while gathering eight rebounds. Additionally, Anthony Pritchard added 13 points and recorded four steals, while Ugnius Jarusevicius contributed a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Brown’s contributions were particularly notable in the first half, where he scored nine points, helping Ohio secure a 35-28 lead at halftime. The Bobcats extended their advantage in the second half, launching an 8-0 run that transformed a narrow two-point lead into a commanding 10-point cushion at 54-44 with just under eight minutes remaining. Victor Searls also played an important role, adding six points during the second half, sealing the victory for Ohio.