Staff Report

 

ATHENS — It was Javarez Willis’ turn.

Each game, the Ohio Bobcats seem to have a different player step up their game.

Saturday in the College Insiders Tournament, Willis scored a career-high 21 points to lead Ohio to a 56-54 win over the Wright State Raiders.

Ohio (25-11) trailed 21-20 at the half, their lowest first half scoring output of the season. The victory marked the fifth time in school history the program has reached 25 wins.

Wright State jumped out to a 13-2 lead before the Bobcats rallied as Willis hit three straight 3-pointers. The red-shirt junior guard was 7-of-11 from the field and 5-of-6 from behind the arc.

The Bobcats’ top two scorers — Maurice Ndour and Nick Kellogg — combined for just 10 points each as they made only 4-of-16 shots from the floor.

Willis scored five points in a 20-second stretch in the final minute to give Ohio the lead for good.

A.J. Parcher had 16 points and Matt Vest 13 to lead Wright State (21-15).

Ohio’s quarterfinal round opponent, date and time will be determined at the conclusion of second round play.