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Forcing turnovers key for Bobcats. Zips still struggle on offense
By Corey Ryan
Special to the Beacon Journal
Published on Wednesday, Jan 21, 2009
ATHENS: The story of the University of Akron's contest at Ohio University should have been a comeback solidified with a buzzer beater and a strong overtime period.
But that wasn't the case Tuesday night in the 70-65 loss story that reads like this.
After a dismal first half performance and a 13-point deficit early in the second half, the young Zips looked defeated. But that wasn't the case.
Akron battled back, earning a put-back layup from sophomore Brett McKnight to send the game into overtime.
It all started with an uncharacteristic first half. Instead of being arguably the Mid-American Conference's best defensive team, the Zips let the Bobcats run wild on the perimeter, connecting on 5-of-10 from 3-point range and shooting over 53 percent from the field.
The tide started to change in the second half. The Bobcats drew iron from beyond the arc,
managing just 1-of-6 from 3-point range and 4-of-18 from the field.
''I just think that it was very simple. They came at us and punched us in the face,'' said Akron coach Keith Dambrot. ''I went in there at halftime and reminded the guys that they're one of the best defensive teams in the league.''
It took a while for the offense to arrive, but Akron has struggled on that end all season, shooting 41 percent from the field, 10th in the conference. The Zips cut the lead to four points with 3:30 to go after guard Steve McNees connected on a 3-pointer from the corner. Then forward Jimmy Conyers made it a one possession game, turning a Brett McKnight free-throw miss into a layup.
Still down 56-54, the Zips pressured the Bobcats in the half court, eventually forcing a turnover to set up a chance with 10 seconds. That led to McKnight's buzzer beater.
In overtime, the Zips struggled to score in the final three minutes. Ohio forward DeVaughn Washington tallied a steal at midcourt and went coast-to-coast to throw it down. Washington connected on the free throw and connected on two others seconds later to secure the game.
''We have to be realistic,'' Dambrot said. ''We try really hard on the defensive end, but we really aren't very good on the offensive end.''
Last season's veterans ''wouldn't have let us lose that game, but these guys are young,'' he said.
Inexperience on an unfamiliar court may serve as an excuse for some of the Zips, but not for freshman starting point guard Anthony ''Humpty'' Hitchens. He's no stranger to the Convocation Center. His Chillicothe High School team used district and regional tournament games there as a spring board to a state championship. But this isn't high school anymore.
A year ago, Hitchens' Cavaliers won five games at the center by an average 25.6 points. In his return trip, Hitchens struggled against opposing senior Michael Allen, shooting 33 percent and surrendering seven turnovers.
Forcing turnovers was key to the Bobcat victory. Heading into the game, Akron led the conference in turnover margin at +5.81. At Ohio, the Zips lost that battle 22-20, mostly as a result of long-armed defenders and Allen's five steals.
Hitchens wasn't the only scorer to be held in check. Akron contained reigning MAC player of the week Jerome Tillman to 12 points, eight below his season average.
''You have to stay fresh on [Tillman],'' Dambrot said. ''That's what you have to do with him because he's without a doubt the best player in the league. He reminds me of our team my first year when Jeremiah Wood got hurt. All we had was feeding Romeo Travis in the post.''
ATHENS: The story of the University of Akron's contest at Ohio University should have been a comeback solidified with a buzzer beater and a strong overtime period.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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_________, OH
Posted 02:16 PM, 01/21/2009
Better offense? It will come.... not without a lot of frustration and patience... but it will come. The ability is there no question! Until then, just keep your heads in the game!
LETS GO ZIPS!
