MBB: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

Mount got it done 73-71 and accomplished history on Saturday becoming the first team in program history to start 11-0.  Mount was up 69-60 with 35 seconds left and the ball, but credit to ONU they forced a couple turnovers and hit some threes (including a nice play up the sideline to hit one at the buzzer).

This was probably the sloppiest I've seen Mount play this year (22 turnover?!), but a lot of that was due to Northern's defense.  They were picking up full court most of the game.  But it was also little things.  Poor shot selection from secondary scorers a few times, careless unforced turnovers, etc.  With 2:18 left up 63-57 they gave away a key point with a lane violation on Casenhiser's 2nd FT attempt on a shooting foul.  Those are things they'll clean up.

Casenhiser, Hamilton and Collier combined to make 11 straight FT in the final 2:47.  The backup ballhandler, Weekly, finished 5-6 also so if they can inbound the ball late they are in good shape.

One thing to applaud (and it was mentioned by the players in the Rep article) was how huge the 2nd unit came up for them.  Weekly, Taylor, Dunbar, Collier and Vaden gave them critical play and mounted a comeback when the starters were "dead" (I think that's what one of the starters said).  They forced 6 straight turnovers during a 13-0 run in the 2nd half.