Written by ODU Sports Information Intern Tyler Jester

Columbus, Ohio - In a game which saw the Ohio Dominican women's basketball team set both team and player highs on the season, the Panthers cruised to victory, beating the visiting Dragons of Tiffin University 69-55 in GLIAC play on Monday.

After losing three straight games on the road, the Panthers enjoyed returning to Alumni Hall, setting a season high in team field goal shooting percentage, making 30-of-57 shots (52.6 percent).

The Panthers came out shooting hot, making seven of their first twelve shots. Sophomore forward Melissa Scherpenberg (Cincinnati, Ohio) led the charge for ODU, making three of her first four shots.

More impressive than the hot shooting for the Panthers was their defensive intensity. The Panthers held Tiffin to only five points in the first nine minutes of the game, resulting in a 15-5 lead for ODU.

The Dragons started to cut into the deficit with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 15-12, but a baseline jumper from Scherpenberg started an 8-0 run by the Panthers which ended with a layup by freshman guard Tori Beth Leader (West Portsmouth, Ohio). ODU led 23-14 with 4:47 remaining in the first half.

A three-pointer from the top of the key by junior guard Kacee Hockenberry (Haviland, Ohio) ignited another run for the Panthers over the next two minutes of play, outscoring the Dragons 7-0 during the stretch to give ODU a 30-14 lead.

ODU finished the final two minutes of the first half strong taking a 36-17 lead into the half. Scherpenberg paced the Panthers in the first half recording a double-double, scoring 15 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, as well as blocking six of her career high seven shots. Hockenberry added 11 points in the first half and freshman guard Lauren Bates (Hilliard, Ohio) led the Panthers in assists, dishing out a career high six assists. The Panthers shot well in the first half making 16-of-32 shots (50 percent) from the field.

Tiffin started the second half on a 9-4 run, but a layup by Scherpenberg assisted by junior guard Micaela Liddane (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) and two free throws by Hockenberry gave ODU a 44-26 lead with just over 16 minutes remaining in the second half.

The two teams went back and forth over the next couple of minutes answering each other shot for shot, with Hockenberry converting on layup while being fouled to give the Panthers a 48-31 lead at the first media timeout of the second half.

After Hockenberry converted on the foul shot and assisted on a layup scored by Bates, the Panthers took their largest lead of the game, leading by 20 points, 51-31 with 13:11 remaining in the second half.

A jumper by freshman forward Madi Rittinger (Dayton, Ohio) gave the Panthers their new largest lead of the game of 24 points, 57-33 just before the second media timeout.

Scherpenberg had a solid game, ending with a season-high 21 points, 13 rebounds, and a career high seven blocks. She was just one block shy from tying the school record.

Hockenberry led the Panthers in scoring with 22 points, 11 coming in each half. Leader added nine points and three rebounds for ODU.

As a team, the Panthers blocked a season-high 11 shots, with Rittinger adding three rejections as well.

With the win, the Panthers improve their season record to 8-11 and pick up another Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference win to improve their conference record to 5-10. ODU will be back on the road for their next game as they travel to Findlay to play the Oilers in another GLIAC contest. The Panthers won the first meeting between the two teams back on January 16, 79-72 in overtime.

Tip-off off the game will be at 6 p.m. at Croy Gymnasium in Findlay, Ohio on Thursday, February 6. 

Post game interview with Melissa Scherpenberg

Post game interview with Kacee Hockenberry

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu