ATHENS (AP) — Jaaron Simmons scored 20 points — 13 from the free-throw line — and Ohio beat Florida Gulf Coast 85-75 in the season opener for both teams on Saturday.

With less than two minutes to play the Eagles’ Christian Terrell hit a layup to cut the lead to 76-70. Forced to foul to stop the clock, however, Simmons made 7 of 8 free throws to preserve the win.

Simmons was 13 for 17 from the free-throw line, had seven assists and four rebounds. Kenny Kaminski had 17 points nine rebounds for the Bobcats.

Marc Eddy Norelia had 21 points and nine rebounds for Florida Gulf Coast which trailed most of the game.

 

Ohio dominated the boards with a 45-31 rebounding edge.

 

The Bobcats’ Wadly Mompremier had 12 rebounds_seven on the offensive end_and had 12 points.