LEWISBURG -- Darren Mastropaolo's return brought one of the largest ovations Wednesday night from the Sojka Pavilion crowd of 2,893.

Bucknell's offense didn't give the fans much of a choice.

Another slow start and a series of miss-steps late were the difference in a 53-47 loss to Ohio.

The second half was one of spurts with the Bobcats (9-4) getting the last one -- seven in a row over a two-minute stretch late in the game.

Bert Whittington had a game-high 20 points in 24 minutes, including a big three-pointer to start the decisive run at the 1:36 mark.

"He played terrific," Ohio coach Tim O'Shea said of Whittington. "We don't win without him. He had that huge three to put us up four. That was the biggest shot of the game."

"At some point, we've got to make plays," Bucknell coach Pat Flannery said. "We've had opportunities to win some games. We've shot ourselves out of games.

"We've had a helluva schedule. We just haven't had any place to get up and breathe. I hope it pays dividends in (Patriot) League play."

The Bison (5-8), who play at St. Bonaventure on Saturday before league play begins next week, didn't get a basket after Mastropaolo's up-and-under at the 3:15 mark which helped get them within 46-45.

A couple of turnovers and a missed three-pointer by Jason Vegotsky led to Bucknell's demise.

Mastropaolo, a senior captain, made his first appearance of the season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee during a pickup game Aug. 1. He had six points, one assist and one rebound in 18 minutes on Wednesday.

"It's been a progression," Mastropaolo said. "(The knee) feels good, a little sore. It's definitely been getting better and better. Yesterday and today, it felt good."

Tied at the break, there were six lead changes and three ties in the second half.

Trailing 32-27, Ohio scored 12 in a row to take the lead. Whittington's three-pointer and steal and layup finished the spurt for a 39-32 cushion.

Bucknell responded with eight in a row, the last on a Justin Castleberry drive for a 40-39 Bison advantage.