COLUMBUS , Ohio – The Ohio Dominican men's basketball team defeated Malone University in their final regular season home game on Saturday afternoon in Alumni Hall. ODU sent their seniors off on a winning note, holding off a late rally by the Pioneers to earn the 74-67 conference victory.
Ohio Dominican, looking to stay in contention for their second straight playoff birth in as many years, turned to their five seniors to carry the load early. The Panthers started all five seniors who were playing in their final regular season game in Alumni Hall and got a big spark from forward Milton Mobley (Dayton, OH). After getting his first collegiate start in the black and gold, Mobley scored four of his six points in the first five minutes of the game.
With the game tied at 20 with 7:34 to play in the opening half, the Panthers seniors led a 13-2 run to take a double digit advantage. All five seniors got in on the action as they knocked down free throws, grabbed rebounds and made big shots. The Panthers held that lead through the remainder of the half and headed to the locker room with a 36-26 lead.
Malone turned up the pressure in the second half and quickly cut the lead to five points early in the second stanza forcing a timeout by the Panthers just a minute into the half. ODU responded and increased the lead back to 10 points on a 3-pointer from freshman Dominic Russo (Sagamore Hills, OH). The Panthers maintained their double digit lead until the Pioneers Jordan Jennings nailed a 3-pointer to bring the visitors to within eight points.
Malone was able to tie the game for the first time in the second half with 7:55 left in regulation, but back-to-back triples from Jim McCurdy (Columbus, OH) gave the Panthers an eight point cushion. ODU was able to hold on for the next six minutes to earn the much needed victory.
ODU was led by senior Donald Suel (Columbus, OH; pictured) with a game high 19 points. Fellow senior Bryan West (Coshocton, OH) recorded 10 rebounds in the game and Shawn Steward (Reynoldsburg, OH) continued to climb up the record books in blocks as he turned away three Pioneer chances. Steward entered the game ranked 6th all-time in block shots. Joining Suel in double figures was Sonny Stattmiller (Columbus, OH) with 12 points and Russo, who finished with 11.
Malone was led by Jarrod Ferwerda with 16 points and Jennings came off the bench to keep the Pioneers close with 11.
Ohio Dominican will return to action this Tuesday, February 17th as they head to Portsmouth, Ohio to face Shawnee State University . Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
