Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

ATHENS — Treg Setty decided to take over the game long before it even began.

The red-shirt senior forward scored a game-high 30 points including 10 in overtime as the Ohio Bobcats outlasted the Albany Great Danes 94-90 on Wednesday in the first round of the CBI.

“After practice the other day I shot 1,000 shots because I said ‘I’m not going to go out. I’m not going to be a loser,’” said Setty.

Setty — who also led the Bobcats with 10 rebounds — scored in double figures for the seventh straight game and for the 21st time this season. He hit 11-of-19 field goal attempts including 4-of-6 from behind the arc.

The Bobcats (22-11) had four other players in double figures. Jaaron Simmons scored 15 points and had 10 assists while Kenny Kaminski scored 14, Jordan Dartis 12 and Antonio Campbell 11.

Albany (24-9) was led by Evan Singletary with 19. Mike Rowley scored 16, Ray Sanders 15 and Joe Cremo 11.

The Great Danes took an 80-77 lead to start the overtime, but Setty hit a 3-pointer to tie the game again. He later hit a trifecta that put Ohio up 87-86 and then grabbed a rebound and went the length of the floor to score.

With Ohio up 92-90, Setty made two foul shots to seal the win.

Albany opened the game with a 6-0 run but the Bobcats put together a 16-2 run to lead 16-8 with 10:55 left in the half.

Campbell made two foul shots with five seconds on the clock and Ohio led 30-28 at the break.

Ohio made 8 of their first 12 shots in the second half to lead 50-42 but the Great Danes scored nine unanswered points to lead 53-50 with 10:54 on the clock.

Simmons made two foul shots with five seconds left to give Ohio a 77-74 lead, but Singletary banked in a 3-pointer from the left wing as time expired to send the game into overtime tied at 77.

Although the crowd was announced as 3,034, Ohio coach Saul Phillips said the fans were impressive. Ohio is now 14-2 at home this season.

“That crowd was engaged tonight and they made the big difference in this game,” said Phillips.

Ohio will play UNC-Greensboro (15-18) at home on Monday in the second round. UNC-Greensboro edged Houston Baptist 69-65 behind 17 points by freshman Francis Alonso.

Monday’s winner will advance to the semifinals on Wednesday, March 23.