MEMPHIS, Tenn. – In a challenging contest Friday night (Nov. 15) at FedExForum, the Ohio men’s basketball team (1-3) faced a formidable opponent in a resurgent Memphis squad, ultimately succumbing to the Tigers by a score of 94-70. The game showcased a standout performance from junior guard Ajay Sheldon, whose career-high 20 points were not enough to turn the tide in favor of the Bobcats.
Overall, Ohio struggled with their shooting, managing only 36.9 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from beyond the arc. Despite their efforts at the free-throw line, where they converted 10-of-11 attempts, it paled in comparison to Memphis’s impressive shooting statistics: the Tigers shot an outstanding 56.1 percent from the field, 72.2 percent from three-point range, and 77.3 percent from the line. Memphis also held a slight edge on the boards, outrebounding Ohio 35-32, while the Bobcats did manage to secure 10 offensive boards.
Individually, Ajay Sheldon (Dublin, Ohio) led the Bobcats with notable contributions from redshirt sophomore guard AJ Brown (Orlando, Fla.) and junior guard Elmore James (Cleveland, Ohio), who scored 19 and 11 points, respectively. Brown showcased a versatile offensive game, going 5-of-12 from the field, 2-of-6 from three, and 7-of-7 from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, James demonstrated range by hitting a career-high three three-pointers. Junior guard Jackson Paveletzke (Kimberly, Wis.) added four points and made a significant impact on the boards with a team-leading seven rebounds while also dishing out five assists.
Memphis opened the game strong, winning the tip-off, but it was Ohio that struck first with a driving layup from Elmore James. The Tigers quickly responded with a 9-0 run, forcing Ohio to play catch-up early in the game. A layup by AJ Clayton eventually cut the deficit to 9-4, but Memphis extended their lead.
As the game progressed, Ohio mounted a spirited effort, particularly behind the arc, where Sheldon and James were instrumental in narrowing Memphis’s lead. Midway through the first half, back-to-back three-pointers from Sheldon energized the Bobcats and cut the deficit to just five points, prompting a timeout from the Tigers.
Ohio’s resilience continued as they pushed back to within three after a three-pointer from AJ Brown and a jumper from Clayton. Yet, Memphis quickly regrouped, extending their lead to 38-31 with less than three minutes remaining in the half. Despite the deficit, Sheldon and Brown’s efforts kept Ohio fighting, and they entered halftime trailing by just five points at 43-38.
At the half, the shooting stats told a contrasting story: Ohio shot 36 percent from the field compared to Memphis’s 56 percent. Through tenacious defense, Ohio forced 11 turnovers from Memphis, converting those miscues into 16 points.
The second half began with Memphis asserting their dominance, launching a 10-2 run that expanded their lead to 13 points. However, Ohio’s Aidan Hadaway (Lafayette, Ga.) and Vic Searls (Hilliard, Ohio) fought back, trimming the deficit to single digits with pivotal plays.
In a high-stakes final minutes, a three-pointer from Sheldon briefly pulled Ohio back into contention, but Memphis responded emphatically with back-to-back threes, solidifying their control of the game. Ultimately, the Bobcats were unable to claw back, concluding the night with a disappointing defeat as Memphis secured a comfortable win.
For Memphis, standout performances from PJ Haggerty, who scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds, along with Tyrese Hunter, who contributed 21 points and six assists, proved too much for the Bobcats. Nicholas Jourdain added valuable support with 15 points and a game-high eight rebounds.
Up next, the Ohio Bobcats will look to regroup as they head to the Myrtle Beach Invitational, scheduled from Nov. 21-24 in Conway, S.C. They will kick off the tournament on Thursday, Nov. 21, against Middle Tennessee, with tip-off slated for Noon ET and the game available to watch on ESPNU.
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What lessons does Ajay Sheldon believe the Ohio Men’s Basketball team can take away from their tough loss against Memphis?
**Interview with Ajay Sheldon, Junior Guard for Ohio Men’s Basketball**
**Interviewer**: Ajay, tough game out there against Memphis. Can you give us your thoughts on how the game unfolded?
**Ajay Sheldon**: It was a challenging matchup for us. We knew Memphis was going to come out strong—they’re a talented team. We showed flashes of what we can do, especially with those runs we had in the first half. I felt we moved the ball well at times and created some good opportunities for shots.
**Interviewer**: You personally had a career-high 20 points. What was working for you on the offensive end?
**Ajay Sheldon**: I just tried to stay aggressive and find my spots. Coach emphasized taking good shots, and I think I was able to capitalize on some looks. My teammates did a great job of setting me up, too. We just needed to finish a little better as a team.
**Interviewer**: Ohio struggled with shooting percentages overall. What do you think contributed to that?
**Ajay Sheldon**: Memphis really put pressure on us, especially on the perimeter. Their defense was tough, and we took some difficult shots. We have to find a way to be more consistent, not just individually but as a team, to create better looks and make those shots count.
**Interviewer**: You guys were able to secure 10 offensive rebounds—what does that say about your hustle?
**Ajay Sheldon**: I think that showed our determination. Even when shots weren’t falling, we kept working hard and fighting for those second chances. It’s important for us to keep that intensity, especially when things aren’t going our way.
**Interviewer**: What’s the mindset moving forward after a tough loss like this?
**Ajay Sheldon**: We’ve got to learn from it. Every game is a chance to grow. We’ll watch the tape, see what we can improve on, and come back stronger for the next matchup. It’s a long season, and we need to keep building on the positives.
**Interviewer**: Thanks for your insights, Ajay. Best of luck in your next game!
**Ajay Sheldon**: Thank you! Appreciate it. Looking forward to getting back on the court.