Oberlin, Ohio – Reining NCAC Player of the Week Jack Poyle and junior classmate Nathan Cohen combined for 48 points to lead the Oberlin College men's basketball team to a 102-94 victory over Muskingum on Tuesday night at Philips Gym.
 
Drawing off the excitement of it being the home opener, the Yeomen played an outstanding first half as they held a 49-23 lead at the break. However, the Muskies put together a strong second-half charge that saw them score 71 points and make the home faithful a little nervous down the stretch.
 
All five starters scored in double figures for the Yeomen as Poyle led the way with 25 points, matching a career-best with six 3-pointers. Cohen reset his personal best from the season opener, going 7-of-10 from the floor to finish with 23 points. Both players were also active on the glass as Poyle ripped down nine boards while Cohen chipped in with six.
 
Matt Walker was very efficient on the inside, going 5-of-6 from the floor for 14 points, and Zach Meyers and Randy Ollie each added 10. Ollie added five rebounds and five blocks while Meyers tied a career-high with six assists.
 
The Yeomen jumped all over the Muskies early on, starting the game on a 16-2 run. After Muskingum settled in to get within seven, 18-11, the Yeomen answered right back with another 12-2 spurt to claim a 30-13 lead midway through the opening frame.
 
Oberlin would take its first 20-plus point lead of the game, 39-17, on one of Poyle's three first-half triple hits and would ultimately hold a 26-point cushion after 20 minutes of play.
 
The Yeomen got out of sorts in the second half, resting a little bit too much on their first-half laurels. However, they still led by 20, 75-55, with 7:13 to go in the game before Muskingum came roaring back.
 
Muskingum used a full-court press and eventually found itself trailing by just 10, 89-79, with 2:12 left on the clock. A 3-ball from Jacob Geller got them to within eight, 93-85, with 97 seconds to go, but the Yeomen made 9-of-10 free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.
 
The Yeomen shot an impressive 62.5-percent (35-of-56) from the floor, while Muskingum hoisted 81 shots and made 38 for a 46.9-percent success rate.
 
Oberlin will open up a four-game road stretch on Friday night when it travels to Houghton College to take on the Highlanders. Tip-time is set for 7 p.m.