Box Score HILLSDALE, Mich. – Ohio Dominican's men's basketball team fell to hot shooting Hillsdale by a final score of 79-67 in Great Midwest Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon in Potter Arena.
Senior Hasan Varence (Queens, New York) recorded his 13th double-double of the season scoring 17 points, 13 in the second half, and grabbing 11 rebounds. Fellow senior Sam Hickey (Toledo, Ohio) had 13 points and Michael Scott (Hebron, Ky.) stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists.
The Panthers opened the contest scoring the first seven points before Hillsdale (16-8, 12-3) scored the next seven and ODU answered with six straight to lead 13-7 capped by a Matt King (Mason, Ohio) jumper. Hillsdale would then go on an 11-2 run to grab their first lead of the game at 18-15 with 10:56 remaining in the opening 20 minutes.
With the Panthers leading 31-29 after another King basket at the 3:05 mark, the Chargers would end the half on a 9-0 run to take a 38-31 lead into the half.
After a Hickey three to open the second half for the Panthers a 16-7 run for Hillsdale opened their largest lead of the game at 54-40 with 12:28 to play.
For every ODU push, Hillsdale would answer with key baskets keeping the lead outside of seven points throughout the remainder of the contest.
Both teams shot a blistering percentage in the second half as Hillsdale shot 55.6% in the final 20 minutes including going 7-for-10 from behind the arc with the Panthers shooting 53.8% and 4-of-9 from behind the arc. Overall, the Chargers shot 54.5% from the floor (30-of-55) and 57.1% from behind the arc (12-for-21) while ODU was 47.3% from the floor (26-for-55) and 31.8% (7-for-22) from three.
The Panthers, now 11-14 overall and 7-8 in the conference, will remain on the road as they travel to Canton to take on Malone Thursday, February 20 with tip set for 8 p.m.
