Walter Offutt scored 23 points, including 13 free-throw makes, as Ohio defeated Hampton 75-67 Tuesday night in a nonconference affair.
Offutt's output was his highest since netting 26 against North Carolina in last year's Sweet 16. His previous best this season was 11 points against UNC Wilmington on Nov. 16.
Ivo Baltic turned in 16 points for the Bobcats (4-0), and D.J. Cooper had 12.
Hampton (0-3) lost despite outrebounding the Bobcats 43-26 and outscoring them 36-20 in the paint, 28-16 off the bench and 23-11 on second-chance points.
The Pirates led 25-24 with 6:35 left in the first half, but a 3 by Offutt kickstarted a 20-2 Ohio run to close out the half with the Bobcats ahead 44-27. Ohio scored 21 first-half points off turnovers and finished with a 32-18 advantage in that department.
David Bruce led the Pirates with 20 points.
