COLUMBUS, Ohio – In a game with 24 lead changes and nine ties, it was the Ohio Dominican men's basketball team that came out on top, defeating Northern Michigan 73-68.

With just over two minutes left to play, freshman Shemar Waugh (Columbus, OH) scored on a jump shot to tie the contest 67-67. Junior Mark Minch (West Chester, OH) added two free throws on the Panthers' (3-8, 1-5 GLIAC) next possession to give ODU a two point lead with 1:00 left.

After one free throw from the Wildcats (5-7, 3-3 GLIAC), they were forced to foul and Waugh converted on both foul shot attempts with 18 seconds remaining.

Minch added a layup in the closing seconds after an NMU turnover as the Panthers closed out the game scoring eight of the last nine points.

ODU was led by Minch who scored 21 points. Minch also dished out a career high seven assists. He had previously recorded four assists in five games in his career.

Junior Trent Weaver (Columbus, OH) flirted with a double-double which would have been his third straight, as he scored 17 points and grabbed a team high eight rebounds.

Junior Jordan Cowgill (Worthington, OH) also scored in double figures, recording a season high 10 points, falling just two points shy of tying his career best. Cowgill also grabbed a season high five rebounds.

Waugh came off the bench and went a perfect 4-of-4 from the foul line as he recorded eight points. Another freshman, Ronnie Williams (Columbus, OH), logged a career high six assists in just his second collegiate start.

ODU shot close to 50 percent from the field, shooting 26-of-54 (48.1%) for the game. NMU shot 54 percent from the field (27-for-50). The Panthers tied a team season high, assisting on 17 made shots.

The Black and Gold held an advantage in free throw shooting going 18-of-23, making two more shots than the Wildcats attempted for the game (10-for-16).

The Panthers started off the game on a 5-0 run with baskets from Minch and Bobby Stauffer (Lexington, KY). However, the Wildcats answered with a 9-2 run to take their first lead of the contest at the 15:27 mark.

The two teams traded baskets for most of the first half as there were 14 lead changes in the opening 20 minutes. ODU closed the first half on an 11-6 run to take a 39-35 lead into the break.

Just like much of the first half, ODU and NMU traded baskets but a three point play from Weaver gave ODU a 52-49 lead. The Wildcats answered with a 7-1 run to take a 57-53 advantage with 9:37 remaining.

Trailing by three points, a Weaver free throw followed by a Stauffer jumper tied the contest at 63-63 with just under four minutes to play.

The Panthers will look to build upon their win on Thursday, January 8, as they travel to Lake Superior State for a road GLIAC contest.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu