Six reach double figures as Buckeyes pull away from Miami (Ohio) in second half

COLUMBUS — Defensive rebounding was an emphasis for Ohio State this offseason. It’s been an emphasis early this season, too, especially after No. 21 Texas A&M — still ranked No. 1 nationally in offensive rebounding percentage, according to KenPom — pulled down 16 offensive boards in the Buckeyes’ lone loss this season.

Not only has Ohio State improved in that department, posting a defensive rebounding percentage north of 70% in all but one game since, but the Buckeyes have also emerged as a top-40 team in the country in offensive rebounding percentage. They got to be the aggressors Wednesday night against Miami (Ohio), which came into the midweek clash 296th in rebounding margin per game (-3).

“Their defensive rebounding percentage is not good,” Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann said postgame. “So we felt like that was an area we could attack them.

“We did emphasize that. But, more than anything, it’s hard to emphasize that going into the game. I think that’s got to be a part of what you do. Our numbers this year are better than what they’ve been in past years.”

Holtmann added: “We continue to emphasize it. It’s what we need to do.”

Ohio State recorded 12 offensive boards in the first half, setting the stage for 15 second-chance points in the opening 20 minutes. Couple that with 16 points off nine RedHawks turnovers, and it didn’t matter that Ohio State missed four free throws and was just 38.2% from the floor in the first frame.

The Buckeyes shot the ball much better in the second half, six players reached double figures and Ohio State distanced itself for an 84-64 victory, its seventh straight win, all of which have been by double digits.

Evan Mahaffey came into the in-state bout having shot a combined 0-of-11 from the field in the last two games, and 1-of-16 in his last three outings. Mahaffey made one of his first two field goal attempts against Miami (4-4), cleaning up his missed floater and getting on the board early.

He was one of three Buckeyes players who scored before the first media timeout. Mahaffey was joined by Felix Okpara — who also scored in the paint on his second go-around — and Jamison Battle, who kicked things off with a turnaround jumper.

While Ohio State (8-1, 1-0 Big Ten) started its run on second-chance points, the RedHawks made three of their first four shots, thanks to five quick points from top scorer Darweshi Hunter. The rest of the first half, however, Miami was a mere 8-of-21 from the field.

It didn’t help head coach Travis Steele that his second-leading scorer, guard Evan Isparo, dealt with foul trouble throughout the opening frame. Ipsaro picked up three fouls by the 7:36 mark and had just two points in 11 first-half minutes.

Ohio State’s early-game shooting success lasted longer than Miami’s. The Buckeyes, who finished 13-of-34 in the opening frame, began the period 7-of-15. Holtmann was quick to turn to his bench, which accounted for 10 of Ohio State’s first 25 points.

At one point, the Buckeyes even rolled with a lineup of Dale Bonner, Roddy Gayle Jr., Scotty Middleton, Devin Royal and Zed Key — a group that featured four bench pieces, including two freshmen.

Key made the biggest contribution, bouncing back from two consecutive quiet performances. Joining the headband crew of Okpara and Gayle, Key returned to double figures with 13 points, 10 rebounds and four assists, registering his second double-double of the year.

“I was rebounding well today, getting us some extra possessions on the offensive end,” said the always-expressive Key, who was surprised to hear he reeled in seven offensive boards. “My teammates found me in the right spots throughout the game, and I converted.”

When Ohio State hit its first-half speed bump, it dropped off in efficiency. The Buckeyes endured a couple field goal droughts in the opening period, most notably a 4:24 stretch that star point guard Bruce Thornton finally ended with a much-needed layup.

Ohio State actually missed just two field goals in that span, which was still an eyesore because of missed free throws, but, before that, it was 1-of-its-last-7 from the field.

Thornton’s aforementioned make put the Buckeyes up, 32-19, and got them back on track. He tacked on a 3-pointer, Mahaffey caused a steal that led to a Key fastbreak dunk — one of his four slams — and Gayle staked Ohio State to a 39-26 advantage with a basket in the half’s waning seconds.

Battle was the first to join Thornton and Gayle in double figures in the second half. He had 11 points by the 7:46 mark in the final period, starting with a floater and a turnaround jumper.

But it was his two straight buckets in the back half of the window that had the Buckeyes flirting with a 20-point lead. The second was a 3-pointer, following a stretch in which Miami made only one of its last 10 field goals.

The RedHawks got some help from Ryan Mabrey to the tune of three second-half 3-pointers, but his efforts, combined with those of the Hunter-Ipsaro backcourt, weren’t nearly enough. It’s worth noting that Ohio State held Miami to 12 attempts from beyond the arc, despite 3-pointers accounting for 37.8% of the RedHawks’ points this year, a distribution clip that’s 32nd nationally, per KenPom.

An and-one from Mahaffey — who scored a season-high 10 points to go along with four rebounds, two steals and one block — extended the Buckeyes’ lead to 66-44.

Royal went up and under to clean up a missed 3-pointer from his classmate, Middleton. Bonner rained down a 3-pointer, and, soon after, Key threw down a dunk in transition.

When all was said and done, Gayle had 15 points, Thornton had 14, Battle had 13, Key had 13, Bonner had 11 and Mahaffey had 10.

The Buckeyes — who led by as many as 26 in the second half and shot 53.6% in the period — found their stroke again and used it down the stretch to coast to a comfortable win.

Ohio State started slow but exploited Miami’s weakness (defensive rebounding) and limited its strength (3-point shooting) before an evenly-distributed Buckeyes scoring attack blossomed.

Holtmann’s crew took care of business in a sparsely-attended Wednesday night non-conference game sandwiched between the first two Big Ten contests of the season.

“I think it just shows that we stay locked in, no matter who we’re playing or no matter when it is,” Mahaffey said. “And that’s what you have to be able to do to beat good teams.”