ATHENS, Ohio (Interstat) — In a game defined by runs and resilience, the Ohio Bobcats survived a furious second-half comeback by the Massachusetts Minutemen to secure an 86-83 victory in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball clash Tuesday night at the Convocation Center.

A crowd of 2,699 saw the Bobcats (9-7, 2-1 MAC) build a commanding 48-41 halftime lead behind a blistering offensive display, only to watch the Minutemen (9-7, 1-2) erase nearly all of it in the final minutes before Ohio sealed the win at the free-throw line.

The most critical phase of the contest unfolded in the final 30 seconds. With Ohio leading 84-83, Massachusetts guard Danny Carbuccia was fouled on a drive and went to the line with a chance to give the Minutemen the lead with 15 seconds remaining. The sophomore from White Plains, New York, who finished with 13 points and eight assists, made the first free throw to tie the game but missed the second. Massachusetts’ Daniel Hankins-Sanford grabbed the offensive rebound, but his put-back attempt was off the mark.

Ohio’s Jackson Paveletzke corralled the defensive board and was immediately fouled. The junior from Kimberly, Wisconsin, who posted a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists, calmly sank both free throws with 5.9 seconds left to put the Bobcats ahead 86-83. Massachusetts had one final look, but a heavily contested three-point attempt by Isaiah Placide from the wing was off target as time expired.

The game’s conclusion was a stark contrast to its beginning. Ohio dominated the first half, shooting 57.1% from the field and connecting on 7 of 14 three-point attempts. Javan Simmons, a 6-foot-7 forward from Columbus, Ohio, was nearly unstoppable, scoring 16 of his game-high 20 points before the break. The Bobcats led by as many as 12 in the opening period, capitalizing on a 13-2 run midway through and taking a seven-point advantage into halftime.

Massachusetts, which entered the game having lost a heartbreaking 101-100 overtime game to Bowling Green just three days prior, chipped away throughout the second half. The Minutemen tightened their defense, holding Ohio to 38.5% shooting after halftime. Hankins-Sanford, a 6-foot-8 forward from Charlotte, North Carolina, led the charge with 16 points, while Marcus Banks added 14.

A key sequence came with just over four minutes to play. Trailing 76-72, Massachusetts got a driving layup from Banks and, after an Ohio turnover, a layup from Luka Damjanac off a feed from Hankins-Sanford to tie the game at 76 with 3:59 remaining. The teams traded baskets before Paveletzke’s free throws gave Ohio the lead for good.

Ohio’s offensive balance proved decisive. Alongside Simmons’ 20 and Paveletzke’s double-double, the Bobcats got 14 points from JJ Kelly, 13 apiece from Ajay Sheldon and Jesse Burris, and a game-high four steals from Sheldon. The Bobcats dished out 11 assists to Massachusetts’ seven and matched the Minutemen’s 12 turnovers while forcing several key ones late.

Massachusetts won the battle on the offensive glass, grabbing eight rebounds to Ohio’s three, which led to a 13-6 advantage in second-chance points. But the Minutemen could not overcome Ohio’s superior shooting efficiency. The Bobcats finished the game at 51.7% from the field and 42.9% from three-point range, while Massachusetts shot 47.7% overall and 38.1% from deep.

The victory moved Ohio to .500 in conference play and handed Massachusetts its second consecutive narrow MAC loss. Both teams now hold identical 9-7 overall records.

Ohio next hosts Buffalo on Saturday, while Massachusetts returns home to face Ball State the same day.