Napier scores 21 points as Men's Basketball drops OAC opener at Mount Union 81-60

By Scott Beaton

ALLIANCE — Freshman C.J. Napier (Miamisburg/Bishop Fenwick) scored 21 points and added five rebounds to lead the Ohio Northern men's basketball team as it fell 81-60 in its Ohio Athletic Conference opener at Mount Union at McPherson Athletic Complex.

Freshman Landen Long (Mason) scored the first nine ONU (2-3 overall, 0-1 OAC) points of the game, guiding the Polar Bears to an early 9-6 lead. Long had 15 points, four assists, and three rebounds on the day.

A 3-pointer by junior Thomas Phillips (Kenton) gave Northern its final lead of the game, 16-14 with 14:06 left in the first half.

The Purple Raiders (5-2 overall, 2-0 OAC) launched a 20-4 run to take 34-20 lead with 7:15 to go in the first half.

Senior Austin Allemeier (Elida) nailed a 3-pointer off a Napier assist to draw ONU to within 39-33 with three minutes to play before the intermission.

Mount Union controlled much of the second half, focing nine second-half ONU turnovers as it extended its lead to as many as 25 before the final buzzer sounded.

Northern was 24-for-60 (40.0%) from the field and 7-for-16 (43.8%) from 3-point range. Mount Union was 35-for-64 (54.7%) from the floor and 10-for-17 (58.8%) on 3-point attempts.

ONU out-rebounded MTU 34-33, led by nine rebounds from sophomore Brandon Waugh (Columbus/Northland).

The Polar Bears will start a three-game strech on their home floor on Wednesday with a 7 p.m. tip against Wilmington.