OWENSBORO, KY - After earning a solid home win on Thursday, the Ohio Dominican women's basketball team (8–12) traveled to Kentucky to take on another former Panther, the Kentucky Wesleyan Purple Panthers (13–7). Despite a strong late push, ODU fell short on the road, dropping a 64–57 decision.
As a team, ODU shot 18-for-50 from the field (36%), compared to Kentucky Wesleyan's 42.9%. Both teams were similar from beyond the arc, with the Panthers hitting 6-of-21 three-pointers while KWC connected on 7-of-24. ODU was perfect at the free throw line, converting all 15 attempts, and controlled the paint with a 32–30 rebounding advantage. Bench production was even, as both teams scored 29 points off the bench.
Top Performers
Senior Sarah Ochs led ODU with 15 points in 26 minutes, shooting 5-for-10 from the field and a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line. Making her first appearance among the team's top performers this season following a lengthy injury, Meghan Mayotte contributed eight points in 22 minutes while adding four rebounds, two assists, and two steals, including a 2-for-4 performance from three-point range. Senior Mackenzie Hurd matched Mayotte with eight points and added three rebounds and a steal in 21 minutes. Senior Madelyn Fearon chipped in seven points on 3-of-6 shooting, along with three rebounds and two steals.
Game Breakdown
Kentucky Wesleyan opened the game with strong shooting, hitting 41.7% from the field and outscoring ODU 15–6 in the first quarter. Despite the slow offensive start, the Panthers held their own on the boards, out-rebounding KWC 11–7 in the opening frame.
ODU found its rhythm in the second quarter, shooting 50% from the field while scoring 15 points. The Panthers went 4-for-8 from the floor, 1-for-3 from deep, and 6-for-6 at the free throw line. Kentucky Wesleyan kept pace with 14 points on 37.5% shooting, and the home team carried a 29–21 lead into halftime.
The Purple Panthers regained momentum to open the second half, once again outscoring ODU by seven in the third quarter, 21–14. KWC knocked down three three-pointers in the period as both teams remained perfect from the free throw line, extending the lead to 50–35 heading into the fourth.
True to form, ODU fought back in the final quarter. Trailing by 15 to start the period, the Panthers outscored KWC 22–14, shooting 41.2% from the field, 50% from beyond the arc, and 100% from the line. ODU forced three Kentucky Wesleyan turnovers and cut the deficit to eight points with 38 seconds remaining, then to five with 13 seconds left. However, the comeback fell just short as KWC secured the 64–57 home victory.
Coming Up
Ohio Dominican returns home on February 5 to host the Cedarville Yellow Jackets at Alumni Hall for a 5:30 p.m. tip-off. The previous meeting between the two teams this season ended in a heartbreaking three-point loss at the buzzer.
