Ohio has now won three in a row -- its longest winning streak since starting MAC play 3-0.
The Bobcats shot 73.3 percent (22-of-30) from the field in the second half en route to their first home win over the Falcons since 2013.
Redshirt junior guard . . .
"That's a pretty strong outing," said third-year head coach Saul Phillips of Simmons' performance. "Boy he came out and put on a show. Heard some comments he didn't like. Responded. So, that's Jaaron for you. He's a warrior."
Freshman forward Jason Carter scored 19 points, hauled in five boards, blocked a game-high two shots and tallied a steal in 22 minutes of work.
"When Jason has a run like that, this team responds," said Phillips. "They just really do. That's the way they are. He was pretty special for a freshman. Hell, he was pretty special for a senior."
Redshirt senior forward Kenny Kaminski went 5-of-9 from the field and finished with 14 points. He also notched three rebounds, a game-high three steals and an assist over 29 minutes.
Sophomore guard Jordan Dartis fired 4-of-7 from the field -- including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc -- to total 12 points. He also added four assists, three rebounds, a block and a steal in 35 minutes.
Sophomore guard/forward Gavin Block finished in double figures in points for the third time in the last four games with 12 points and nearly recorded a double-double with a game-high nine rebounds. He also recorded an assist, a block and a steal in 29 minutes of work.
Junior guard Mike Laster gave the Bobcats a solid 21 minutes off of the bench, shooting 5-of-6 from the field to tally 10 points. He also posted four rebounds and two assists.
Bowling Green freshman guard Dylan Frye sank a three for the first points of the contest, and the Falcons led for 15:03 of the first half. A layup by senior guard Zack Denny with 7:23 left in the first half gave Bowling Green a game-high six-point advantage at 29-23.
Ohio turned the tide of the contest, though, by outscoring the Falcons 18-6 over the final 6:52 half to take a 41-35 lead into halftime. The Bobcats' rally was powered by seven points apiece from Simmons and Kaminski.
The Bobcats kept their foot on the gas out of the halftime break, building a 20-point lead at 65-45 with 11:58 to go. Carter scored 12 points -- including a dunk and a triple -- in the first four-plus minutes of the second half.
The Falcons fought back, though, cutting Ohio's lead back down to 10 with 8:32 to go thanks to a 15-5 run that saw freshman guard Rodrick Caldwell score seven points and Frye add four.
Despite the charge by Bowling Green, Ohio's offense roared back to life in the final 8:19 of play, outscoring the Falcons by a 25-15 count. Simmons took over down the stretch, accounting for 11 points while Kaminski and Carter entertained the Convo crowd with dunks.
Caldwell led Bowling Green with 12 points, going 5-of-7 from the floor -- including 2-of-2 from deep. He also logged three assists in 24 minutes of work.
Denny shot 4-of-7 of the field -- including 3-of-4 from three-point land -- to total 11 points. He also chipped in two steals and a rebound in 26 minutes for the Falcons. Sophomore forward Demajoe Wiggins also finished with 11 points for Bowling Green and grabbed a team-high six rebounds in 18 minutes.
Senior forward Wes Alcegaire recorded 10 points, five rebounds, two steals and an assist over 29 minutes for the Falcons.
NEXT:
Ohio is at Miami Tuesday (7 p.m. ET) , while Bowling Green hosts Akron. (9 p.m. ET).
(Courtesy of Ohio Athletics)