TIFFIN, Ohio – Ohio Dominican's men's basketball team closed out its season on a strong note, defeating Tiffin 77-59 in the season finale Saturday.

Despite dressing just eight players, ODU finished with a record of 9-18 (7-15 GLIAC) and finished fifth in the South Division. The total wins, GLIAC wins and finish in the conference standings are its best since transitioning to Division II.

The Panthers outscored Tiffin 55-27 over the final 22:30 of the game, turning a 10 point deficit into an 18 point victory. ODU held the Dragons (8-21, 4-18 GLIAC) to just 30.0 percent shooting in the second half and 38.1 percent for the game.

ODU, meanwhile, hit 25-of-55 shots from the field (45.5 percent) and hit five of its eight three-pointers in the second half. The Panthers also sank 14 free throws in the second half.

Two Panthers recorded double doubles for the first time this season. Freshman forward Mike DeLeon (Olentangy, Ohio) had 16 points and 10 rebounds while junior forward Trent Weaver (Hilliard, Ohio) added 15 points and 11 boards.

Junior guard Chad Nelson (Columbus, Ohio) chipped in with 15 points and freshman guard Adam Cytlak (Van Buren, Ohio) set new personal bests in points (13), rebounds (five) and assists (four.)

Freshmen Ronnie Williams (Columbus, Ohio) and Shemar Waugh (Columbus, Ohio) each scored eight points and senior Jesse Ward (North Pole, Ak.) closed his career with five points.

Tiffin jumped to a 13-3 lead in the first four minutes and maintained a 10-point cushion, 32-22, with 2:29 left in the half. The Panthers, though, picked up the defensive intensity down the stretch, closing the half on a 10-2 run. A three-point play by Waugh, a triple in the corner by Nelson, and a steal and a layup by Waugh highlighted the burst to close the half.

To start the second half, Cytlak made a tear drop runner, then hit a three to give ODU a 39-37 lead which the Panthers ultimately would not relinquish.

Nelson sank two three pointers and a Weaver offensive rebound putback and foul made it 48-41 with 14:30 left. Cytlak drilled another three and Williams tipped in a missed shot to stretch the lead to double figures for the first time, 57-47.

Later in the half, Tiffin hit consecutive threes to cut it to seven, but Weaver made a layup and foul to make it 65-55 with just over four minutes left, and the Dragons would draw no closer than nine down the stretch.

Contact: Tyler Jester
jestert@ohiodominican.edu