Second-half surge pushes men past B-W
The Ohio Northern men's basketball team used a strong start to the second half en route to topping Baldwin Wallace 81-74 on Wednesday evening inside the ONU Sports Center.
The Polar Bears have now won back-to-back Ohio Athletic Conference games, improving to 6-8 overall and 2-5 in the OAC. The Yellow Jackets fall to 8-6 overall and 4-3 in the conference.
"Our guys played with a lot of energy and intensity on the both ends of the floor," 4th-year head coach Rich Bensman said. "We've played hard and been really focused the past couple games."
Freshman Landen Long (Mason) poured in a career-high 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting.
Northern opened the final 20 minutes of action with a 21-11 run to take a 58-53 lead with 13:31 remaining before taking a more commanding 71-61 lead with 7:30 left.
Baldwin Wallace cut the ONU lead to 77-74 with 22 seconds to play, but Long nailed four free throws in as many attempts down the stretch to ice the game.
Both sophomore Thomas Phillips (Kenton) and freshman C.J. Napier (Miamisburg/Bishop Fenwick) were 7-of-13 from the floor. Phillips netted 16 points and Napier scored 15 points.
Sophomore Brandon Waugh (Columbus/Northland) added 11 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals while senior Caleb Bryan (Pittsburgh, Pa./Montour) chipped on eight points on a 4-for-4 shooting effort.
The Polar Bears opened the game on a 5-0 spurt prior to trailing 9-7. ONU trailed the rest of the first half, as BW took a 42-37 lead into the break. Northern regained the lead for good at 52-51 on a Napier jumper with 15:25 remaining.
Ohio Northern was 32-for-61 (season-best 52.5%) from the field and 7-for-15 (season-best 46.7%) from 3-point range. Baldwin Wallace was 31-for-69 (44.9%) from the floor and 7-for-28 (25.0%) from deep.
ONU will return to the court with a home matchup against No. 8-ranked Marietta. The game is part of a men's and women's doubleheader and fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis research. The women tip at 3 p.m. and men tip at 5 p.m.
Stories Posted This Week
Friday, May 2, 2025
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
- Bulldog softball upset by Delphos Jefferson
- Bulldog baseball edged by Jefferson
- Bulldog boys and girls 2nd at Bloomdale track tri-meet
- ONU classed as "lower access, higher earnings" institution
- Field reports from NW Ohio wildlife officers
- Ohio High School All-State Honors Band, ONU Symphonic Band perform May 4
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
- William Douglas Burris worked for Rockwell International
- Beatitudes style show proves thrift can be fashionable
- Bulldog softball rallies for win vs. Falcons
- Bulldog baseball loss vs. Falcons
- Bulldogs compete in Ada JH track invitational
- Bulldog tennis loss vs. Bluffton
- Letter: The benefits of vaccinating newborns and children
Monday, April 28, 2025
- Anabel R. McBride worked for Ada Exempted Village Schools
- Trash to Treasure STEAM program on May 3
- Student entrepreneurs compete in 2025 Polar Innovation Exchange
- Lifesaving AED installed at One More gym on E. Buckeye
- St. Mark Community Meal is April 30
- Alfes wins Medalist honors at OAC golf championships
- Wilma A. Willeke worked at Ohio Northern