COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio Dominican men's basketball guard, Alek West (Sylvania, Ohio), registered the program's first triple-double Thursday evening, but the effort was not enough as the Panthers fell at home to Hillsdale, 76-59. 

West, who entered the contest leading ODU in point, rebound, assist and steal averages this season, posted 14 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists and seven steals for the program's first recorded triple-double. The junior also has three double-doubles to his name this winter. 

Making all seven of his field goal attempts off the bench was Max Stepaniak (Ross, Ohio). Stepaniak scored 16 of ODU's 19 bench points. Leading the Panthers with 18 points was Zach Szul (Waterville, Ohio). 

Arius Jones (Lansing, Mich.) tallied a career-high five steals. The Panthers logged a season-high 14 swipes in the contest. 

Hillsdale (14-4, 9-3 G-MAC) made eight of its first nine shots Thursday and never trailed. The Chargers shot 17-of-26 (.654), while also netting nine three-pointers in the first half to lead 45-26 at the intermission. 

Despite trailing by as many as 24 points in the second half, the Panthers (5-14, 3-9 G-MAC) closed its deficit to 12 points on five separate occasions down the stretch. The Black & Gold outscored Hillsdale 33-31 in the second stanza.

Ohio Dominican is set to return to the hardwood at 3 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 29, when the Panthers host Findlay. 

Contact: Tyler Jester

jestert@ohiodominican.edu