SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio -- After falling behind early, numerous second half rallies fell short as Ohio Dominican's men's basketball team dropped a road non-conference matchup Wednesday evening at Notre Dame (OH) 92-87.

The loss was the first of the 2015-16 campaign for the Panthers (2-1). With the win, the Falcons improve to 3-0 for the first time since the 2009-10 season. ODU has now dropped consecutive games at NDC with the last coming in the 2011-12 season.

For just the second time in his career, sophomore Ronnie Williams (Columbus, OH) paced the Panthers with a team high 21 points. On 7-of-13 shooting, including 5-of-10 from behind the arc, the 21 points was the most Williams has posted in a game this season. Williams also grabbed a career best five rebounds and added a season high five assists.

Sophomore Shemar Waugh (Columbus, OH) shot 50 percent from the floor, scoring a season high 16 points, while also grabbing a season best seven rebounds. His point total and rebound tallies each fell one short of tying career highs. With three assists, Waugh has posted at least three helpers in each game this season, and dating back to last season has accomplished the feat in 11 of the last 12 games.

Seniors Trent Weaver (Columbus, OH) and Chad Nelson (Columbus, OH) each posted double figure scoring efforts, as they each have done so in all three career games against the Falcons. Weaver scored 20 points and grabbed a team high seven rebounds and his 10-for-14 from the charity stripe broke career highs in both free throw makes and attempts. Nelson tied a season best with 15 points.

Trailing by 10 with just under eight minutes to play, the Panthers scored the next nine points, capped by a layup from Williams, to close the gap to 77-76 with 5:29 remaining. The two sides traded baskets a few times before a quick 4-0 run by NDC pushed its lead out to 85-80 with under four minutes to go.

After the Falcons grew their lead back out to seven points, ODU rallied again, cutting the deficit to 90-87 with 1:03 left to play. After a defensive stop Nelson would get an open look from the right corner to tie the contest but it would not fall as NDC added two free throws late to secure the victory.

Freshman Ben Casanova (Sylvania, OH) blocked a team high three shots. Classmate Michael Simon (Hilliard, OH) added six points and five rebounds off the bench, while redshirt freshman Alex Stevens (Delaware, OH) made his collegiate debut for Ohio Dominican.

Through the first two games the largest deficit for the Panthers was three points, but NDC jumped out to an early 10-3 lead just three minutes in. ODU was able to cut it back to a four point deficit after a Waugh layup from Williams gave the Falcons at 21-17 lead with 10:19 remaining in the opening stanza.

Ohio Dominican however, would return to uncharted territory as NDC grew the lead to double figures at 35-23 with just four minutes left until the intermission. The Panthers closed the half on a 10-4 run to cut the margin to three at 42-39.

Ohio Dominican's 22 consecutive games of holding its opponent under 90 points came to an end, as NDC shot 52.4 percent from the field. The Panthers finished the contest at 38.9 percent shooting.

The Black and Gold have now outrebounded each of their first three opponents as they held a slight 44-42 advantage against NDC.

The Panthers will look to rebounds quickly as they welcome Silver Lake for the season home opener at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 21.

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu