ASHLAND, Ohio – Despite a great second half surge, the Ohio Dominican women's basketball team fell short to No. 3 Ashland by the score of 62-49 Thursday evening in Kates Gymnasium.

The Eagles jumped to an early 11-0 lead until sophomore Kacee Hockenberry (Haviland, Ohio) drilled a three-pointer to stop the run.

ODU slowly fought their way back in the first half, trailing by just 12, 32-20 to the top-ranked team in the region.

Ashland opened the second half with a 10-2 run to go ahead 42-22, but Ohio Dominican responded with eight straight points to reach within 12, 42-30 after freshman Melissa Scherpenberg (Cincinnati, Ohio) hit a jump shot from junior Mykelia Mast (Millersburg, Ohio).

ODU cut the lead down to seven, 45-38 after an 8-0 run and Scherpenberg hit a pair of free throws to bring the Panthers to within five, 45-40, with 9:39 left to play.

Ashland's Lindsay Tenyak hit a deep three to put the Eagles back up by eight, 48-40 and the Panthers could draw no closer, falling by the final margin of 13.

Hockenberry led the Panthers with 13 points and five rebounds while Scherpenberg recorded her sixth double-double of the season, scoring 12 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. Junior Katelyn Stuckey (Millersburg, Ohio) was the third Panther in double digits with 10 points and five rebounds.

ODU travels to Painesville, Ohio this Saturday, Feb. 23 for a 1 p.m. tip-off against Lake Erie.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu