ATHENS (AP) — Walter Offutt scored 23 points, including 13 free-throw makes, as Ohio defeated Hampton 75-67 Tuesday night in a nonconference affair.

Offutt’s output was his highest since netting 26 against North Carolina in last year’s Sweet 16. His previous best this season was 11 points against UNC Wilmington on Nov. 16.

Ivo Baltic turned in 16 points for the Bobcats (4-0), and D.J. Cooper had 12.

Hampton (0-3) lost despite outrebounding the Bobcats 43-26 and outscoring them 36-20 in the paint, 28-16 off the bench and 23-11 on second-chance points.

The Pirates led 25-24 with 6:35 left in the first half, but a 3 by Offutt kickstarted a 20-2 Ohio run to close out the half with the Bobcats ahead 44-27.

Ohio scored 21 first-half points off turnovers and finished with a 32-18 advantage in that department.

In the second half, Hampton trimmed Ohio’s lead to 12 points with 16:54 to go in the game. The Pirates would come as close as eight points when Bruce connected on a free throw with 2:39 to play, but Ohio wouldn’t allow them to come any closer. Offutt scored eight of his 23 points in the second frame, hitting eight of his ten free-throw attempts in the final 20 minutes.

David Bruce led the Pirates with 20 points.