ATHENS – Ohio could not overcome a slow offensive start and suffered a rare home loss, 78-72, against Youngstown State on Wednesday night at The Convo.

The Bobcats shot 39.7% overall after making only 28.1% of their attempts in the first half when they fell behind 31-28. The Penguins pushed their lead to 66-54 with 2:14 remaining, and Ohio was able to get no closer than the final margin.

Shareef Mitchell led the Bobcats (5-3) with 17 points, while Aidan Hadaway came off the bench to score a career-high 14 points. Elmore James had a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds, and Jaylin Hunter finished with 13 points and five assists.

Brandon Rush had 19 points for Youngstown State (6-3). DJ Burns had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Brett Thompson added 14 points.

Ohio started well enough with a 24-18 lead at the 5:21 mark in the first half and then a 26-21 lead with 4:47 to play, but it did not score another field goal before halftime as Youngstown State sued a 10-2 run to go up by three at halftime.

The Penguins used an 8-0 run to get separation in the second half. Leading 51-47 with under nine minutes left, they got four straight baskets in the paint, including a pair of dunks, to take a 12-point lead. Youngstown State had a 42-28 advantage in points in the paint and had more fast break points 20-10.

By going 15 of 18 at the foul line, including 13 of 15 in the second half, Youngstown State was able to stay in control late.

For the second game in a row, AJ Brown had a limited role and did not finish the game. He had four points on 1-of-7 shooting in 13 minutes.

The Bobcats host Marshall at 4 p.m. Saturday at The Convo.