ADA, Ohio – Despite a career-high from senior forward Alex Nahra (Mayfield), the Baldwin Wallace University men's basketball team fell to Ohio Northern University, 81-74 inside the ONU Sports Center.
BW (8-6 overall, 4-3 OAC) was led by Nahra as he totaled a career-best 21 points off 10-of-11 shooting, meanwhile grabbing six rebounds. Senior forward Drew Sova (Chagrin Falls/Kenston) threw in 12 and snagged six rebounds while freshman guard Anthony Mazzeo (North Canton/Massillon Jackson) also pitched in 12 and corralled five boards. Junior guard Luke Schaefer (Medina) led BW with four assists and contributed nine points.
Ohio Northern (6-8 overall, 2-5 OAC) was led by freshman guard Landen Long as he scored a game-high 24 points. Junior forward Thomas Phillips pitched in 16 and freshman forward C.J.Napier registered 15. Sophomore guard Brandon Waugh recorded 11.
BW falls to 67-50 in the all-time series with the Polar Bears. In the last contest, BW won, 79-70 in Ada.
After falling behind early 7-0, the Yellow Jackets battled back with a 14-2 run to take a 14-9 lead at 14:38. The Polar Bears tied the game up at 26 apiece at 6:46 after a 17-12 run. BW closed the half with a 16-11 run and headed into the locker room with a 42-37 advantage.
Ohio Northern opened the second half with a 9-4 spurt to take a 48-46 lead at 16:47. The Yellow Jackets retook a lead of 51-50 at 15:44 with a wing trey from Mazzeo, assisted by Quiring. The Polar Bears responded with a 19-8 run to take the first double-digit lead of 69-59, with 8:22 left in regulation. BW cut the lead to 71-64 after a Sova offensive rebound and dish to Schaefer for the three, leading to an Ohio Northern timeout at 7:10. The Yellow Jackets came within three twice in the final minutes but the Polar Bears would withstand the onslaught and take the 81-74 victory.
The Yellow Jackets are back in action at home against Wilmington College on Saturday January, 18 at 3 p.m.
