COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The second half push by the Ohio Dominican men's basketball was not enough as they would fall to Walsh 75-68 in a GLIAC contest on Thursday night in Alumni Hall.

ODU would receive balanced scoring tonight as five players recorded at least eight points. Junior Chad Nelson (Columbus, OH) scored a team high 18 points, with 14 coming in the second half. Nelson also tied a season high with four rebounds.

Freshman Shemar Waugh (Columbus, OH) scored 11 points off the bench, while also tying for the team high in rebounds with a career high eight boards.

Freshman Mike DeLeon (Powell, OH) nearly recorded his second double-double of the season as he scored nine points while grabbing eight rebounds.

Junior Jordan Cowgill (Worthington, OH) recorded nine points off the bench on 4-of-5 shooting, while another junior, Trent Weaver (Columbus, OH), recorded eight points.

Freshman Ronnie Williams (Columbus, OH) recorded a team high five assists, falling one shy of his career high.  

The Panthers would fall behind 34-24 in the opening minutes of the second half, but three, three point baskets from Nelson assisted the Panther charge as ODU would go on an 18-6 run to take a 42-40 lead with 12:30 remaining.

In the final 12 minutes the game stayed tight, as there were six ties and six lead changes. ODU would hold a three point lead on two different occasions, once after a three pointer by freshman Adam Cytlak (Van Buren, OH) and another after two free throws from Waugh.

ODU would take their largest second half lead at 65-61 with 3:31 left to play after a Nelson three pointer was followed by a layup from Waugh.

Walsh would then answer with a 7-0 run to take a 70-65 lead with just over one minute remaining. The Panthers would make just 1-of-4 shots in the final minute as Walsh would capitalize at the free throw line.

The Panthers opened the game strong as DeLeon scored the first two baskets of the contest. ODU would hold a 16-10 lead with 10:35 to play in the opening half after a free throw from Williams.  

The Cavaliers would answer, as they went on a 14-4 run over the next five minutes to take a 24-20 lead. ODU would tie the score at 24-24 with 2:47 left before halftime, but Walsh would close the half on an 8-0 run to take a 32-24 lead into the intermission.

The Black and Gold will be on the road Saturday for a 3 p.m. tipoff at GLIAC rival, Malone.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu