Guards Shine For Ohio in Loss to Ohio State

By Jenna Aquino
Greg Bartram – USA Today Sports

The Ohio Bobcats traveled 80 miles to Columbus to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes on Tuesday night.

Ohio State was favored over their in-state rival by 20 points. The Buckeyes looked like they were going to run away with it early as they went on a 9-0 run to start the game, and did not allow the Bobcats to score until more than five minutes into the game. The Bobcats also ran into early foul trouble that put Ohio State in the bonus before the Bobcats even scored a point, then put the Buckeyes into the double bonus before the halfway point of the first half.

Impressive play by their guards bailed out the Bobcats in the first half and helped them keep the game within reach. They only trailed by 12 at the half thanks to Stevie Taylor and Nick Kellogg, who happens to be the son of Buckeyes great Clark Kellogg. Taylor had 13 points in the first half while Kellogg had nine, and the two combined to score all but six of the Bobcats’ points in the first half.

The second half was no different. Taylor and Kellogg continued their scoring ways, finishing the game with 21 points each. Because of this, the Bobcats were within five points of the Buckeyes with four minutes left in the game, and only ended up losing the game by a score of 79-69. It was much closer than many thought it would be thanks to Taylor and Kellogg.

When you’re the inferior team, you’ve got to do something to keep your team in the game, especially when you are playing one of the top teams in the nation. Kellogg and Taylor recognized this and were able to keep the Bobcats in it for the whole game with their impressive play all around.

The Bobcats have to hope that their guards continue to perform at this level if they want to win and give themselves chances for upsets. We all know Kellogg has the potential to be great — just take a look at who his dad is.

Jenna Aquino is a Big Ten Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow her on Twitter, “Like” her on Facebook, add her to your network on Google, or reach her by e-mail at .

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