Jan 18, 2003

Final Stats

ATHENS, Ohio (AP) - Chet Mason had 22 points and six steals, and Juby Johnson added 19 points as Miami of Ohio beat Ohio 77-65 Saturday, ending an eight-game road losing streak.

Mason hit a 3-pointer and got two layups off steals in a 9-0 run that put the RedHawks (5-9, 3-2 Mid-American Conference) ahead 48-41 with 13:45 remaining.

After the Bobcats (4-9, 1-4) pulled to 52-50 on Steve Esterkamp's 3-pointer - his only basket of the second half - Mason hit two 3s and dunked following another steal to push Miami's lead back to 10.

The RedHawks made 8-of-10 free throws in the final two minutes to seal the win.

Mason had all six of his steals in the second half. Gene Seals added 13 points off the bench and Danny Horace had 12 points and eight rebounds for the RedHawks.

Brandon Hunter led Ohio with 26 points and 16 rebounds, and Sonny Johnson added 20 points off the bench. Esterkamp, usually a solid outside shooter, made just 2-of-11 and scored five points.

It was the third consecutive loss for the Bobcats and their second straight at home.