HILLSDALE, Mich. – Ohio Dominican's women's basketball team trailed by just six at halftime, but an early second half run by Hillsdale resulted in a 70-56 setback for the Panthers Saturday in GLIAC action.

Freshman forward Melissa Scherpenberg (Cincinnati, Ohio) notched her second-consecutive double-double, scoring a season-high 24 points on 8-of-14 shooting to go along with 14 rebounds. It was her third double-double of the season and seventh game with 10 or more rebounds. She also had five steals and a block.

Freshman forward Morgan Cnudde (Corunna, Mich.) finished with seven points and classmate Rachael Torey (Sterling Heights, Mich.) also had seven points for the Panthers.

Both teams shook off a sluggish opening 10 minutes with a burst of scoring to close the first half. Hillsdale (5-8, 2-8 GLIAC) made the first run, breaking free from a 16-15 game with an 11-2 run to go in front 27-17 with 4:09 left.

Cnudde answered for the Panthers (4-9, 1-9 GLIAC), knocking down a pair of deep jumpers to make it 27-21, and a three-point play by Scherpenberg brought ODU to within 28-25 with 1:24 left. The Chargers, aided by six three-point makes in the first half, would push their lead back to six, 33-27, at the half.

Hillsdale then started the second half on a 12-2 run to go in front 45-29. A Scherpenberg layup helped the Panthers get to within 45-32, but ODU would draw no closer the remainder of the contest.

ODU shot 36 percent (18-of-50) from the field in the game, while Hillsdale finished at a 40 percent clip (25-of-52). The Chargers sank 12 three-pointers in the contest, compared to three for the Panthers.

Ohio Dominican returns home to host Walsh at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 17 in Alumni Hall.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu