ATHENS, Ohio (AP) – Maurice Ndour scored 20 points in his first game for Ohio en route to a 75-64 victory over Northern Iowa on Saturday in the season opener for both schools. Ndour joined the Bobcats after spending two years at Monroe College, and led four Ohio starters in double figures.

The Bobcats jumped to a 15-4 lead early in the game, but the Panthers closed the deficit to 28-27 late in the first half. Ohio responded with an 11-5 run and took a 39-32 lead to halftime.  Northern Iowa battled, trailing for most of the second half by single digits, but was unable to ever take the lead.

Nick Kellogg scored 16 for Ohio, while Ricardo Johnson added 14. Stevie Taylor had 10 points and 8 assists for the Bobcats.  Deon Mitchell scored 18 points to lead Northern Iowa. Chip Rank scored 14 points and Jeremy Morgan had 13 for the Panthers.