NCAAB · Final

Ohio Bobcats Edge Massachusetts Minutemen in Thrilling Finish

Tuesday, January 6, 2026, 6:00 PM ET · Convocation Center (OH)

Ohio Bobcats 86, Massachusetts Minutemen 83, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.

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Quick answers

Who won Massachusetts Minutemen vs Ohio Bobcats?

Ohio Bobcats beat Massachusetts Minutemen 86-83 at Convocation Center (OH) on January 6, 2026.

Who was favored in Massachusetts Minutemen vs Ohio Bobcats?

Ohio Bobcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -192 (about 66% implied). The favorite won.

In a closely contested matchup, the Ohio Bobcats triumphed over the Massachusetts Minutemen with a final score of 86-83. This game showcased the Bobcats' strong home advantage at the Convocation Center in Ohio, improving their home record to 6-3 this season. Both teams entered the game with identical records of 9-7, making this contest particularly significant for their standings in the NCAAB league.

The Bobcats have been in solid form recently, boasting a record of 7-3 over their last ten games, including a three-game winning streak leading into this matchup. They averaged 77.9 points scored and allowed 69.7 points during this stretch, indicating a balanced offensive and defensive performance. Their last five games further highlighted their scoring prowess, with an average of 79.4 points scored and only 62.8 points allowed, reflecting their ability to control the game defensively.

Conversely, the Minutemen have struggled in their recent outings, suffering two consecutive losses and holding a record of 6-4 over their last ten games. They averaged 80.9 points scored and 73.4 points allowed during this period. Their last five games showed a slight dip in performance, with an average of 85.4 points scored but also allowing 77.0 points, suggesting they have been involved in high-scoring affairs but have struggled to maintain defensive consistency.

The matchup was particularly intriguing given that both teams had performed well at home and away, with Ohio holding a 5-3 home record and Massachusetts achieving a 3-1 record in away games. This dynamic added an extra layer of excitement to the fixture, as the Bobcats looked to leverage their home court advantage.

In terms of previous meetings, the block did not provide specific historical context, but the current form of both teams indicated a competitive rivalry. The game was also influenced by the injury picture, although specific details were not provided in the block.

Betting lines from DraftKings indicated Ohio as the favorite with a spread of -4.5 and a moneyline of -192. The total for the game was set at 160.5, reflecting expectations of a high-scoring contest, which indeed materialized given the final score.

Conditions during the game were not detailed, but the atmosphere at the Convocation Center was likely charged, given the stakes involved for both teams. Fans would have been treated to a thrilling display of basketball, particularly in the second half where the lead changed hands multiple times.

As the game progressed, key moments included free throws and critical layups that kept the score tight. Notably, Jackson Paveletzke played a pivotal role for Ohio, contributing crucial free throws in the closing moments, which ultimately sealed the victory for the Bobcats.

Overall, this matchup not only highlighted the competitive nature of both teams but also underscored the importance of home court advantage in college basketball. The Bobcats' ability to secure a win in a high-pressure situation will serve as a significant boost as they continue their season.

Odds

Book	Spread	Total	Moneyline
DraftKings	OHIO -4.5	160.5 o -108 / u -112	Massachusetts Minutemen +160 · Ohio Bobcats -192

What these prices pay on $100 · What these numbers mean

Leaders

PointsJavan Simmons20Ohio Bobcats
AssistsJackson Paveletzke10Ohio Bobcats
ReboundsAidan Hadaway6Ohio Bobcats
PointsDaniel Hankins-Sanford16Massachusetts Minutemen
AssistsDanny Carbuccia8Massachusetts Minutemen
ReboundsDaniel Hankins-Sanford9Massachusetts Minutemen

Recent form

Ohio Bobcats

Last 10: 7-3Streak W377.9 scored · 69.7 allowed per game5-3 at home

W68-67at Eastern Michigan EaglesJan 3
W80-64at Central Michigan ChippewasDec 30
W102-59vs Miami (OH) Hamilton HarriersDec 22
L58-68vs Bowling Green FalconsDec 20
W89-56vs Ohio Wesleyan Battling BishopsDec 17
W88-83vs St. Bonaventure BonniesDec 13
W88-81vs Marshall Thundering HerdDec 6
W79-57vs Maine Black BearsDec 4
L58-70vs Loyola Marymount LionsNov 25
L69-92vs George Mason PatriotsNov 24

Massachusetts Minutemen

Last 10: 6-4Streak L280.9 scored · 73.4 allowed per game3-1 away

L100-101vs Bowling Green FalconsJan 3
L74-80at Eastern Michigan EaglesDec 31
W91-40vs UMass Boston BeaconsDec 22
L59-69vs Kent State Golden FlashesDec 20
W103-95at Florida State SeminolesDec 13
W76-74at Boston College EaglesDec 11
W80-60vs UMass Lowell River HawksDec 6
W78-71vs Harvard CrimsonDec 4
W73-65at Oregon State BeaversNov 24
L75-79vs Green Bay PhoenixNov 22

Standings

Team	Overall	Games behind	In conference
Miami (OH)	32-2	-	18-0
Akron	29-6	1	17-1
Kent State	24-10	4	14-4
Toledo	19-15	7	11-7
Bowling Green	18-14	9	9-9
Ohio	15-17	9	9-9
Buffalo	17-15	11	7-11
Massachusetts	17-16	11	7-11
Ball State	12-19	11	7-11
Central Michigan	10-21	12	6-12
Western Michigan	10-21	14	4-14
Eastern Michigan	10-21	14	4-14
Northern Illinois	9-21	10	4-14

Box score

Stat	Massachusetts Minutemen	Ohio Bobcats
Field goals	31-65	30-58
Field goal %	48	52
Three-pointers	8-21	12-28
Three-point %	38	43
Free throws	13-17	14-21
Free throw %	76	67
Rebounds	37	32
Offensive rebounds	11	6
Defensive rebounds	26	26
Assists	14	19
Steals	7	11
Blocks	2	3
Turnovers	12	12
Team turnovers	0	0
Technical fouls	0	0
Technical fouls, total	0	0
Flagrant fouls	0	0
Points off turnovers	12	18
Fast-break points	2	13
Points in the paint	38	32
Fouls	19	17
Largest lead	5	12
Lead changes	5	5
Time in front	22	71

How the scoring went

2nd Half48-52Marcus Banks Jr. makes 22-foot three point jumper (Leonardo Bettiol assists)
2nd Half48-55JJ Kelly makes 23-foot three point jumper (Jackson Paveletzke assists)
2nd Half50-55Danny Carbuccia makes driving layup
2nd Half50-57Javan Simmons makes layup (Jackson Paveletzke assists)
2nd Half50-59JJ Kelly makes driving layup
2nd Half53-59Daniel Hankins-Sanford makes 24-foot three point jumper (Danny Carbuccia assists)
2nd Half53-62Ajay Sheldon makes 23-foot three point jumper
2nd Half55-62Danny Carbuccia makes driving layup
2nd Half57-62Marcus Banks Jr. makes 9-foot jumper
2nd Half59-62K'Jei Parker makes 17-foot jumper
2nd Half59-65Dior Conners makes 24-foot three point jumper (Jackson Paveletzke assists)
2nd Half59-66Dior Conners makes free throw 1 of 1
2nd Half62-66Isaiah Placide makes 22-foot three point jumper (Daniel Hankins-Sanford assists)
2nd Half65-66K'Jei Parker makes 22-foot three point jumper (Daniel Hankins-Sanford assists)
2nd Half66-66Isaiah Placide makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half67-66Isaiah Placide makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half70-66Isaiah Placide makes 23-foot three point jumper
2nd Half70-69Jackson Paveletzke makes 23-foot three point jumper (JJ Kelly assists)
2nd Half71-69Jayden Ndjigue makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-69Jayden Ndjigue makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half72-70Jackson Paveletzke makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half72-73JJ Kelly makes 23-foot three point jumper (Javan Simmons assists)
2nd Half72-74Ajay Sheldon makes free throw 1 of 3
2nd Half72-75Ajay Sheldon makes free throw 2 of 3
2nd Half72-76Ajay Sheldon makes free throw 3 of 3
2nd Half74-76Marcus Banks Jr. makes driving layup
2nd Half74-77JJ Kelly makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half74-78JJ Kelly makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half76-78Luka Damjanac makes layup (Daniel Hankins-Sanford assists)
2nd Half78-78Danny Carbuccia makes driving layup
2nd Half78-80Aidan Hadaway makes layup (Jackson Paveletzke assists)
2nd Half79-80Danny Carbuccia makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half80-80Danny Carbuccia makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half82-80Luka Damjanac makes layup (Danny Carbuccia assists)
2nd Half82-82Javan Simmons makes 0-foot tip in layup
2nd Half82-83Jackson Paveletzke makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half82-84Jackson Paveletzke makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half82-85Jackson Paveletzke makes free throw 1 of 2
2nd Half82-86Jackson Paveletzke makes free throw 2 of 2
2nd Half83-86Danny Carbuccia makes free throw 1 of 2