Short-handed Men's Basketball drops road contest at Muskingum
By Tim Glon
NEW CONCORD — For the second consecutive game, the Ohio Northern men's basketball team came took to the court missing four starters and eight players overall due to COVID-19 protocols.
Muskingum took advantage, racing to a quick 16-3 lead en route to an 83-56 victory over ONU on Saturday afternoon at the Steele Center.
The Polar Bears fall to 7-6 overall and are 1-5 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while the Muskies improve to 4-11, 1-7.
Junior Landen Long (Mason) scored 16 points, freshman Garrett Chapin (Norwalk) added 13 points and freshman Tayt Birnesser (Columbus Grove) chipped in 12 points for Ohio Northern.
Muskingum was led by Alex Masinelli with 22 points.
A three-pointer by Long got ONU within 23-15, but a 12-0 Muskie run extended the lead to 35-15. MU led 37-19 at halftime and would not be challenged in the final 20 minutes.
Ohio Northern made 18-of-54 field goals for 33.3 percent and was 7-of-22 from 3-point range for 31.8 percent.
MU was 33-of-64 from the floor for 51.6 percent and made 10-of-23 from beyond the arc for 43.5 percent.
Muskingum won the rebounding battle 48-22.
The Polar Bears will return to action Wednesday evening at home against No. 19-ranked Heidelberg.