CMU holds off Ohio

Published 2:44 am Wednesday, February 11, 2015

ATHENS (AP) — John Simons opened the game with three 3-pointers and a jump shot as Central Michigan zoomed to a 15-0 lead to dominate Ohio 68-57 and snap the Bobcats’ two-game win streak on Tuesday night.

Simons scored 18 points with four 3-pointers and grabbed 13 rebounds for Central Michigan (17-5, 7-4 Mid-American), which swept the season series with Ohio (9-13, 4-7) for the first time since 1988-89.

Rayshawn Simmons added 14 points for Central Michigan.

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The Chippewas forced 14 turnovers with 10 steals, Simons had three, and outrebounded the Bobcats 40-29.

Stevie Taylor led an Ohio surge late in the game with 15 points while Maurice Ndour and Javarez Willis added nine points apiece. Willis was 0-for-6 from 3-point range, failing to hit from deep for the first time in a month.

Central Michigan was up by 19 at halftime and pushed the lead to 25 points in the second half.