The Ohio men's basketball team (7-2) used tough defense to beat Cleveland State (3-7), 71-53, today (Saturday, Dec. 1) at the Convocation Center in Athens.
The Bobcats have now won each of the last four meetings from the in-state rival Vikings.
Ohio held Cleveland State to 32.2 percent (19-of-59) from the floor – including just 14.3 percent (3-of-21) from three-point range. Both percentages represent the worst shooting effort by a Bobcat opponent this season.
"Throughout it all, the narrative tonight was we were really good defensively," said third-year head coach Saul Phillips, who has the Bobcats off to their best start through nine games during his tenure.