FINDLAY, Ohio – Freshman Gabby Stare (Newark, Ohio) tallied a career-high 37 points and nine rebounds as Ohio Dominican women's basketball completed the season sweep over the University of Findlay on Thursday, winning 88-82.

Stare's 37 points set a Great Midwest Athletic Conference season-high mark. The freshman also tied for fifth-most points in a game in G-MAC history. Continuing her list of accomplishments, she set a program record as the highest scorer in Ohio Dominican's NCAA Division II history. The first-year player also tallied the third-most points in a game in the history of the women's basketball program.

Findlay began the contest on a 6-0 run with baskets from the trio of Bridget Landin, Sydney Kin, and Paige Bellman.

Stare and teammate Kennedy Schlabach (Millersburg, Ohio) answered with a mid-range jumper and a three-point field goal to close the gap to one point.

Kin took matters into her own hands and extend the Oiler advantage to 10-5 midway through the first period. Down by a score of 17-13, the Panthers orchestrated a six-point swing off three-pointers from Stare and Angela Troyer (Sugarcreek, Ohio) to take a 19-17 lead heading into the second quarter.

Schlabach and Stare combined to score 21 of ODU's 23 points in the second quarter. The Black and Gold's 63-percent shooting from downtown carried the visitors into the locker room with a 42-37 advantage.

The third quarter was a shootout between the two clubs, with the Oilers outscoring the Panthers 27-19. Findlay shot 71-percent from the field and 60-percent from behind the arc. Kin and Allison Utterback combined for 20 points as the hosts moved into the final period with a slim 64-61 advantage.

In the fourth quarter, Stare went back to work. The Newark, Ohio, native scored 13 points and was near perfect from the field. She thrived on defense, securing extra possessions for the Black and Gold. Two steals within the span of a minute helped swing the momentum and give the Panthers a 73-72 advantage with 5:20 to go in the contest.

Stare scored nine points in the final three minutes to lift the Black and Gold to the victory and the season sweep of the Oilers. The win marks the first time the Panthers have secured a win inside of Croy Gymnasium since January 10, 2019.

HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF

With her 37 points on Thursday evening, Stare ties for fifth in G-MAC history for most points scored in a game. This isn't the first-time history has occurred in Findlay. Malone University guard Holly Groff also reached the mark, scoring 37 points against the Oilers in their home gymnasium on January 30, 2020.

SCHLABACH'S RUN CONTINUES

Six converted free-throws from Schlabach extends her terrific run from the charity stripe. In the last five contests, she is 27-of-28 (96%) from the line. The junior has seen her free throw percentage grow from 83.3% last season to 93% this year.

UP NEXT
The Panthers continue their road swing on Saturday as they head to Michigan for a battle with Hillsdale College. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from the Potter Arena.

Contact: Ralph Schudel
schudelr@ohiodominican.edu