COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio Dominican women's basketball team bounced back from a tough loss to Walsh University on Friday night, holding on to defeat another former AMC foe Malone University, 58-55, on Saturday afternoon at Osborne Hall in Canton, Ohio. The Panthers controlled play for much of the second half, but a late rally by the host Pioneers led to a late 3-point basket by guard Tenia Scarver (Fr./Xenia, OH) to secure the win for ODU.
Offensively, Ohio Dominican looked flat to start the opening half as they were only able to muster nine field goals on 9-of-27 from the field. Defensively, ODU kept the game close as the Pioneers led by three, 29-26 at the half time break.
The second half saw a much more dynamic Panther team as they came out of the locker room with a strong intensity and took control of the game. ODU held the Pioneers to just 10 points through the first 12 minutes of the second stanza and jumped to an 11 point lead with 7:29 to play. Malone rallied behind Allyson Wilsons's game high 18 points and 18 rebounds, taking a late one point lead, 55-54 with 1:03 remaining. The Panthers Melissa Hersey (Jr./Cincinnati, OH) found Scarver who drained the 3-point shot to give ODU the lead, 57-55. A missed lay-up by the host Pioneers and a made free throw by Hersey sealed the win for the Panthers, their second of the season.
The Panthers again saw balanced scoring as three players finished in double figures. Pacing ODU was Scarver, who had a team high 15 points. Scarver was joined by Summer Hale (Jr., Galena, OH) and Kirsten Ruen (Sr./Columbus Grove, OH) who finished with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The Panthers, 2-2 on the season, return to action on Tuesday, November 24th when they welcome Concordia University (MI) to Alumni Hall for the 2009-10 home opener. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
