Men’s Basketball Opens with 89-61 Win Over Oakland – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/13/1998 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
November 13, 1998
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State Men’s Basketball Team opened up the 1998-99 season with a convincing 89-61 win over Oakland University at Value City Arena. The Buckeyes took command in the first half, using a stifling defense and red-hot offense to go on a 22-0 run to vault to a 58-25 halftime lead.
The Buckeyes nailed a school-record 13 three-point field goals, while attempting a record 28. Sophomore guard Michael Redd led all scorers with 29 points, while hitting six of 10 three-point attempts. Scoonie Penn added 17 points while dishing out eight assists in his first game as a Buckeye. Penn committed no turnovers, while the Buckeye team committed just 11.
“Michael Redd was terrific,” Ohio State head coach Jim O’Brien said. “When he starts hitting perimeter shots, he just becomes that much more difficult to defend. Scoonie is the leader of our team and we think he’s one of the best point guards in the country.”
Neshaun Coleman added 11 points off the bench for the Buckeyes. Ten Buckeyes scored in the rout.
“I’m very happy with our effort tonight,” O’Brien said. “The difference was our defensive pressure and intensity. It will be a good thing if we can get our players to play that hard all year long.”
Oakland was competing in its first game at the Division I level. They were led in scoring by Mychal Covington, who scored 17. Sean Carlson added 12, while Myke Thom and Brad Buddenborg each chipped in 11. The Golden Grizzlies outscored OSU 36-31 in the second half.
“I’m proud of our team,” said Oakland head coach Greg Kampe. “I knew it would be tough for us and that it would be tough for us to win. We came in with six kids that had never played collegiate ball before. Ohio State saw that [nervousness] and they took the game away from us.”
Ohio State returns to action Sunday afternoon with a 4:30 contest at the Schottenstein Center against Alabama, while Oakland travels to Illinois State on Sunday.
