Simmons Career High | Ohio Basketball Wins at Buffalo

Bobcats Dominate Buffalo 95-83, Led by Simmons’ Career Performance

The Ohio Bobcats delivered a commanding performance Saturday, defeating the Buffalo Bulls 95-83 on the road, fueled by a career-high 24 points and 13 rebounds from redshirt junior forward Javan simmons. The victory improves Ohio’s record to 12-11 overall and 6-5 in Mid-American Conference (MAC) play.

bobcats Surge Past Bulls in First Half

Ohio came out firing, responding to an early Buffalo three-pointer with a 10-1 run, highlighted by three-pointers from senior forward Aidan Hadaway and senior guard Ajay Sheldon. This early offensive burst established a 12-8 lead for the Bobcats going into the first media timeout. Despite a brief Buffalo rally to tie the game at 14-14, Ohio quickly regained control with an 8-2 run, propelled by layups from Simmons and Hadaway. A late first-half push, including a three-pointer from Sheldon and key contributions from Simmons, extended Ohio’s lead to 46-31 at halftime.

At the half, Ohio shot an notable 54.8% from the field, though struggled from beyond the arc, going 3-of-12 on three-point attempts. Buffalo, in contrast, shot 39.1% from the field and 2-of-9 from three. The Bobcats also demonstrated strong rebounding and ball control, matching Buffalo with 16 rebounds each while forcing seven turnovers.

Did you know? – Javan Simmons‘ double-double was his first of the season and the third of his career. He also became the first Bobcat to score 24+ points in a game this season.

Second Half Seals the Victory

buffalo attempted to close the gap early in the second half with a 4-0 run, but Hadaway quickly responded with a layup and a fastbreak dunk, pushing Ohio’s lead back to double digits at 50-35. The Bobcats continued to trade baskets with the Bulls, maintaining a comfortable lead throughout the majority of the second half. Key contributions from freshman guard JJ Kelly, who tied his career-high with 17 points, and senior guard Jackson Paveletzke, who dished out 11 assists and went 10-of-11 from the free-throw line, helped to secure the victory.

Ohio’s offensive efficiency continued, shooting 53% from the field overall and converting 20-of-26 free-throw attempts. The Bobcats also demonstrated a strong rebounding advantage, outrebounding Buffalo 34-30, and capitalized on turnovers, scoring 18 points off the Bulls’ 13 turnovers.

Pro tip – Ohio’s success came from a balanced attack. Four Bobcats scored in double figures,demonstrating the team’s depth and ability to score from multiple positions.

“We really focused on controlling the boards and taking care of the ball,” a senior official stated. “Those were key areas we identified before the game, and the guys executed the game plan well.”

Looking Ahead: Bobcats Host western Michigan

The Bobcats will return to Athens on Tuesday, February 3rd, to host Western Michigan. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET inside the Convocation Center and will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Why: the Ohio Bobcats defeated the Buffalo Bulls in a Mid-American Conference (MAC) road game.
Who: The Ohio Bobcats (led by Javan Simmons with 24 points and 13 rebounds) defeated the Buffalo Bulls. Key contributors for Ohio included aidan Hadaway (14 points),JJ Kelly (17 points),and Jackson Paveletzke (11 assists).
What: Ohio won the game 95-83, improving their record to 12-11 overall and 6-5 in MAC play.
How: Ohio established an early lead in the first half and maintained it throughout the second half, fueled by strong shooting (