HILLSDALE, Michigan - The Ohio Dominican women's basketball team began their conference campaign with a nail-biter on the road, falling just short against the Hillsdale Chargers at the Dawn Tibbetts Potter Arena. Despite a valiant effort and a potential game-tying shot at the buzzer, the Panthers couldn't quite complete the comeback, dropping their first conference game of the season, 64-62. 

Ohio Dominican had a mixed night offensively, shooting 35.9% from the field and just 22.2% from beyond the arc, but their free-throw shooting was nearly flawless, going 12-of-13 (92.3%). 

Junior guard Sarah Ochs led the way for the Panthers, logging an impressive 39 minutes on the court. Ochs tallied 17 points, four rebounds, and three assists, shooting 5-of-13 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the free throw stripe. 

Gabby Stare and Brynn Mullett also made significant contributions, each scoring 13 points. Stare displayed efficiency with a 5-of-9 shooting night while grabbing five rebounds. Mullett was a key presence on the boards, hauling in eight rebounds, and drained three shots from deep. Jenna Shackleford added 11 points, primarily from the paint, to round out the Panthers' scoring leaders. 

First Half 

Ohio Dominican came out strong in the first quarter, showcasing their best shooting performance of the night. The Panthers connected on 56.25% of their field goals, including a solid 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Their defensive effort limited Hillsdale to 38.89% shooting, but the Chargers stayed competitive with their own sharp three-point shooting (62.5%). The Panthers entered the second quarter with a slim 23-19 lead. 

The momentum shifted in the second quarter as Hillsdale found their rhythm offensively, shooting 46.67% from the field while holding Ohio Dominican to just 29.41%. The Chargers outscored the Panthers 19-15, sending the game into halftime deadlocked at 38-38. 

Second Half 

Coming out of the locker room, the Panthers turned up the intensity on defense. They smothered Hillsdale in the third quarter, holding the Chargers to a restricted 12.5% shooting and just five points. Though Ohio Dominican's own offense cooled slightly, shooting 31.25%, their defensive dominance gave them a 48-43 advantage heading into the final period. 

The fourth quarter was a frenetic back-and-forth battle. Hillsdale responded with their best shooting stretch of the game, hitting 57.14% from the field, while Ohio Dominican struggled to maintain their earlier efficiency, shooting just 26.67%. The Chargers capitalized on critical possessions late in the game, erasing the Panthers' lead. 

With seconds left on the clock, Ohio Dominican had one last chance to send the game into overtime. The Panthers managed to get off an attempt, but the shot fell just short as time expired. Ohio Dominican excelled in the paint, scoring 36 points down low, and forced 12 points off turnovers. The game was tightly contested throughout, featuring eight ties and 17 lead changes. 

Up Next
The Panthers will look to regroup as they continue their road trip. They'll face Central State University on December 11, with a 6 PM tip-off. Ohio Dominican will aim to bounce back and secure their first conference win in what promises to be another exciting matchup.