Junior Aron Thress tallies his third consecutive double-double to lead Men's Basketball past Muskingum 85-74

By Ashley Birchmeier

NEW CONCORD — The Ohio Northern men's basketball team defeated Muskingum 85-74 Saturday afternoon at the Muskingum Recreation Center.

The Polar Bears improve to 11-12 overall, 8-8 Ohio Athletic Conference, while Muskingum falls to 5-17, 2-13.

Northern was led in the contest by junior Aron Thress, recording his third consecutive double-double scoring a game-high 22 points, while grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds.

The Polar Bears saw four players score in double figures, Thress, junior Konnor Baker with 14 points, junior Devon Allen with 11 points, and sophomore Joey DiOrio with 10 points.

Muskingum would take the early advantage, before a 10-0 run from the Polar Bears, capped off by a lay-up from Baker, would give ONU the 10-4 lead with 14:26 to play in the first half.

Northern and Muskingum would exchange points for much of the remainder of the first half before a three-pointer from Allen with under a minute to play would give the Polar Bears the 37-34 halftime lead.

Muskingum would come out hot in the second half as a pair of free-throws from Muskingum's Rickey Wilson would tie the contest at 40-40 with 17:19 to play.

Thress would go on to score seven of the next nine points for ONU to put the Polar Bears back on top 49-45 with 14:03 to play.

The Fighting Muskies continued to battle as a three-pointer from Wilson would once again tie the contest at 49-49.

ONU would once again respond with a 10-2 run led by Baker to put the Polar Bears on top for good, 59-51.

Northern would go on to out score Muskingum 48-40 in the half to claim the 85-74 victory.

The Polar Bears edged Muskingum in rebounds by a 44-42 margin.

ONU returns to action Wednesday at 7:30 pm as they travel to Berea to take on Baldwin Wallace.