Mount St. Mary’s has shown at times it could be the team to knock off a squad like unbeaten Ohio State, with high-level consistency on the road the goal when the teams meet at Columbus, Ohio, on Tuesday evening.
The Mountaineers (1-5) have struggled at the outset, but they have been known to cause problems for major-conference programs. They led Cincinnati with less than 12 minutes remaining in a 72-55 loss on Nov. 16.
It was even more heartbreaking three days later when they were up by five points at Maryland with 30 seconds left and were ahead three in overtime before falling 95-90.
On Sunday, though, Mount St. Mary’s lost 83-60 to Western Michigan, which was routed 91-58 by Ohio State (5-0) on Thursday.
“We’re starting to see flashes of who we can be,” Mountaineers coach Donny Lind said. “We just need longer flashes.”
Those flashes might be harder to come by against the Buckeyes, who were relentless from start to finish against Western Michigan.
“Play to the end of the whistle every time,” Ohio State freshman Amare Bynum said. “Every game’s a big game to us. Just having that mindset, and when it’s game time, you have to flick it and it’s time to work.”
It helps to have Santa Clara transfer center Christoph Tilly, who has fit in nicely. Four days after scoring the winning basket with 13 seconds left against Notre Dame, he had 17 points vs. Western Michigan with a career-high seven assists against no turnovers.
“It’s not just the assist numbers, but his low turnover number is really impressive,” Ohio State coach Jake Diebler said. “His basketball IQ is really, really high, complemented with his size and skill. It allows you to be creative offensively.”
Lind said he feels the same way about Mountaineers senior guard Arlandus Keyes, who had a team-high 15 points vs. Western Michigan.
“He brings so much leadership and so much poise and composure,” Lind said. “When he gets in the lane, he makes plays for the other guys.”
