HILLSDALE, Mich. – Ohio Dominican's women's basketball team fell in a 10-point hole midway through the first half and couldn't recover, suffering an 81-66 setback at Hillsdale Saturday in GLIAC play.

ODU fell to 9-12 (6-11 GLIAC) with the loss, while the Chargers improved to 10-11 (9-8).

Hillsdale started the game on a 14-4 run and led by double digits for virtually the rest of the game.

The Chargers shot 29-of-59 (49.2 percent) from the field and also went 19-of-27 from the free throw line. ODU finished 27-of-65 (41.5 percent) from the field but attempted just nine free throws.  

Hillsdale built a 39-23 halftime lead as ODU shot just 9-of-27 (33.3 percent) in the opening 20 minutes.

The lead grew to as much as 19, 44-25, early in the second half before ODU made a run. Junior guard Micaela Liddane (Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich.) hit a three, then found freshman guard Lauren Bates (Hilliard, Ohio) for a fastbreak layup to cut the deficit to 53-43 with just over 13 minutes left.

The Panthers would cut it to single digits later in the half, as freshman guard Lindsey Blanford (Xenia, Ohio) hit a three, then made a layup to cut the Charge lead to 71-63 with 3:32 left.

But ODU would draw no closer down the stretch as Hillsdale closed the game on a 10-3 run.

Freshman forward Jackie Oestreich (Brighton, Mich.) provided a spark off the bench, scoring nine points to go along with seven rebounds. Junior guard Kacee Hockenberry (Haviland, Ohio) also had nine points, while sophomore guard Rachael Torey (Sterling Heights, Mich.) had a career-high five assists off the bench.

Ohio Dominican returns home for a 5:30 p.m. game Thursday against Walsh.

Contact: Scott Miles
miless@ohiodominican.edu