Ohio Downs Rice at the Buzzer

DAYTONA BEACH – In the game of the day at the Roman CBI, Mark Sears’ layup at the buzzer gave No. 3 Ohio a 65-64 win over Rice.

Rice took its first second half lead with 1:05 to play when Travis Evee scored on a put back to put the Owls up 60-59. A jumper by Sears and a couple of free throws by Ben Vander Plas made it 63-60 in favor of the Bobcats with 19 seconds to play.

Rice came back as Carl Pierre’s layup cut the lead to one and his jumper with six seconds to play gave the Owls a 64-63 lead.

Sears then took over and at the horn made his layup to secure the win.

Sears, who was just 4-of-15 from the floor ended with eight points. Jason Carter led all scorers with 26 points and 12 rebounds while the Bobcats also received 13 points from Vander Plas.

Rice was paced by Pierre’s 20 points and Evee’s 12.

Ohio will play the winner of Sunday’s Abilene Christian-Troy game.