COLUMBUS , Ohio – The Ohio Dominican men's basketball team took the NAIA I No. 12 ranked McKendree Bearcats to the wire for the second time this season as they dropped a 63-59 contest on Tuesday afternoon. The Panthers lost their season opener, 88-86, in Lebanon , Illinois .
After a long 12 day layoff the Panthers got off to a rocky start as the Bearcats jumped out to an early 10-2 lead. ODU's shooting trouble continued as they hit just 9-of-36 from the field in the first half and scored a season low 23 points. McKendree didn't seem to be affected by their long break as they shot 41 percent from the field and took a 30-23 lead into the half.
The Panthers looked as though they would climb right back into the game after junior point guard Adriene Rodriguez (Lorain, OH) open the second half with a 3-pointer cutting the Bearcat lead to four, but McKendree would answer with a triple of their own. Midway through the second half McKendree would take their largest lead, 14 points, and look to be on their way to a second victory over ODU this season.
The Panthers had other ideas as they chipped away at the Bearcat lead going on a 7-0 run with just under five minutes to play. ODU continued to pick-up the pressure and back-to-back lay-ups by senior Donald Suel (Columbus, OH) brought the Panthers back to within four with 2:33 remaining. After a McKendree lay-up ODU's Jim McCurdy (Columbus, OH; pictured) was fouled stopping the clock with a minute to play. McCurdy would knock down both free throws and after a big defensive stop, slashed through the defensive for a lay-up to cut the lead to two points with 23 seconds left.
With time winding down ODU was forced to foul and McKendree's Eric Palm nailed two of his game high 20 points forcing a two possession game. ODU got an open look that glanced off the front of the iron and went out of bounds. McKendree was able to run out the clock and earn the non-conference victory.
Suel finished the game with a team high 17 points for the Panthers. He was joined in double figures by Rodriguez with 14 points and three assists.
Ohio Dominican, now 7-7 overall, will open conference play this Saturday, January 3rd as they travel to Houghton, New York to face the Houghton Highlanders in a conference double-header with the women's team. Tip-off for the women is scheduled for 2 p.m. followed by the men at 4 p.m.
