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Men's Basketball
Lighty Lights up RedHawks to Lead OSU to Win
By John PorentasMiami University Head Basketball Coach Charlie Coles can tell a story with the best of them. Frankly, he lights up a room when he enters and starts talking. Unfortunately for him, his basketball team didn't do much lighting up in a 66-45 loss to Ohio State (5-0). The Buckeyes meanwhile got some lighting up from, ironically, David Lighty to cruise to an easy but sometime rough to watch win.
The RedHawks (2-4) opened the game by missing nine of their first 10 field goal attempts. By then the Buckeyes had built a 20-5 lead with 9:21 left to play in the half. The outcome of the game was all but decided.
"Right at the beginning we didn't score. We fought hard but we couldn't score," said Coles.
Despite the uphill climb, the Redhawks kept playing, and at times frustrated the Buckeyes. Miami shortened the game by holding the ball deep into the shot clock on the offensive end, a strategy that definitely was effective at holding down the score.
"Today was a unique game because of the limited possessions," said OSU Head Coach Thad Matta.
"I think Miami came in and was going to bring the shot clock into play.
"I thought our guys defensively did a very good job of keeping our composure.
"Our defensive numbers were good. Offensively we just didn't have a ton of possessions."
That limited number of possessions meant fewer scoring opportunities, particularly in the first half when OSU put up just 28 points. Freshman Deshaun Thomas has nine of those 28 off the bench, but no other Buckeye had more than five at the intermission.
Neither team changed their style of play much in the second half, but what did change was the role of OSU senior David Lighty. Lighty took over on the offensive end and scored 19 of his game-high 21 points after the break. Lighty scored inside and out, slashing to the rim for lay ups and knocking down open jump shots for three pointers. He was four for four from behind the arc, all of those coming after the break. Meanwhile, freshman center Jared Sullinger also came to life, scoring eight second half points after scoring just four in the first half. Coles, great story teller that he is, summed it up.
"If we could have got some things going and continually convince Lighty and Sullinger that it was a team game and let some of the other guys in on it, if we could have done that, and here's what I mean. We almost had them sold on that" said Coles, a wry smile crossing his face.
"My point was 'Sully, why do you need to score? Let everybody else in on it. Same way with Lighty. 'Lighty, now look, Thad needs a leader!', but you know what Lighty said. He said 'Ahhh, Coach, I'm not going to believe you,' so he started making shots," Cole said. " What a great player."
Miami made a small run at the end of the first half to close to within 12 of the Buckeyes, then scored the first seven points of the second half to mount a semi-serious threat. Lighty and Sullinger then took over on the offensive end, and the RedHawks continued to be plagued by cold shooting and turnovers.
"We dribble too much, and when we dribble, we seek out the defender," said Coles in his own inimitable way.
"Some guys dribble and protect the ball. We go to the defender and dribble in front of him if you noticed, so we're turning the ball over. We're averaging 16 turnovers a game," he said.
Cole also pointed out that the RedHawks' turnover numbers may have something to do with teams they have played. They have faced three top-20 teams already this season in No. 18 San Diego State, No. 3 Ohio State, and No. 1 Duke. He was asked how the Buckeye compared to Duke.
"Very comparable," he said.
"Duke is going to get after you. If Duke's better than you they're going to beat you pretty good. If Ohio State is better than you, because of the way Thad coaches, it's not necessarily going to be a rout.
"Sully's (Sullinger) the best freshman in the country. He's smart. He's one of the smartest kids I've ever seen as a player. He's Adrian Dantley at 6-8. Dantley was 6-4. That's who that kid is. He is very smart. He's not only one of the best freshmen in the country, he's a top-10 player in the country...right now.
"This guy (Thad Matta) loses (Evan) Turner, now Lighty's Turner. Lighty's Turner in a different way. They're good.
The Buckeyes ended up shooting 56 percent from the field, and 57.1 from three point range. Miami managed just 29.4 percent overall against OSU.
Thomas ended the game with 15 points, Sullinger 12. Miami was led by Orlando Williams with 13 and Julian Mavunga with 11.
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