CLEVELAND (AP) — Jason Preston scored 22 points and made big plays at both ends of the floor as Ohio won its first Mid-American Conference Tournament championship since 2012, 84-69 over Buffalo, which was trying for a record third straight title.
The Bobcats (16-7) are in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2012, when they shocked Michigan on their way to the Sweet 16.
They’ll receive the league’s automatic bid when the seedings are announced Sunday night.
Ben Roderick added 20 points for Ohio, which built a 20-point halftime lead, held off Buffalo’s comeback and won its seventh MAC title.