CLOSE Cincinnati basketball’s John Brannen previews Bearcats’ season-opener at Ohio State Fletcher Page, fpage@enquirer..com COLUMBUS – No. 18 Ohio State derailed John Brannen’s Cincinnati debut Wednesday in a game of second-half survival. The Buckeyes clamped down on defense in the 64-56 victory at Value City Arena, erasing a seven-point halftime deficit to defeat the Bearcats a fourth consecutive time. The contest had the look and feel of an early November season-opener. Both teams started sloppy with turnovers and poor shooting muddying up the first half. Ohio State, paced by 14 points and 13 rebounds from junior forward Kyle Young, steadily moved ahead in the final 15 minutes and withstood a late charge led by Bearcats’ star Jarron Cumberland. Prior to that, the Buckeyes built a lead when they managed to shut out the reigning and preseason AAC Player of the Year for an extended run. Cumberland started with a team-high seven first-half points to help…
Continue Reading: No. 18 Ohio State clamps down in victory against Cincinnati basketball
