ATHENS, Ohio (Interstat) — Ohio held off a second-half charge from Massachusetts to win 86-83 in a Mid-American Conference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Convocation Center.

The Bobcats built a 48-41 halftime lead behind 12 first-half points from Javan Simmons, who finished with a game-high 20 points. The Minutemen closed the gap after halftime, tying the game at 66 on an Isaiah Placide 3-pointer, but could not take the lead. Ohio’s Jackson Paveletzke sealed the win with four free throws in the final minute, finishing with 10 points and 10 assists.

Danny Carbuccia led Massachusetts with 13 points. Both teams are now 9-7 overall. Attendance was 2,699.