Offutt leads Ohio over Ball St; WMU earns victory

1/29/2012

ATHENS, Ohio -- Walter Offutt scored five of his 13 points in the final 3 minutes to help Ohio hold on for a 59-54 win over Ball State Saturday.

The Bobcats (17-4, 5-2 Mid-American Conference) led 34-27 at halftime and pushed their lead to 43-31. The Cardinals then went on a 15-3 run.

Offutt broke a late tie with a layup and then made a free throw to put the Bobcats up by three with 27 seconds left.

Western Michigan 73, Miami 64

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Flenard Whitfield scored 22 points, and Shayne Whittington garnered a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead Western Michigan over Miami.

Western Michigan (10-11, 4-3 MAC) led by 15 points, its largest lead of the game, with 10:36 remaining.

Buffalo 74, Northern Illinois 59

DE KALB, Ill. -- Javon McCrea had 14 points and 12 rebounds, and Buffalo defeated Northern Illinois.

Zach Filzen scored 12 points, making four 3-pointers, and Mitchell Watt had 10 points and four blocked shots for the Bulls (12-6, 5-2 MAC), who broke away from a 15-15 game with a 10-2 run.

Akron 74, Central Michigan 64

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. -- Zeke Marshall and Nick Harney scored 13 points each and Akron used a four-point possession late in the game to pull away for a victory over Central Michigan.