LIMA, Ohio. – The Panthers come back falls short in Ohio against the Racers of Northwestern Ohio 86-80. Both teams shot lights out during the second half to create an exciting episode of college hoops. Northwestern Ohio created a 15-point lead during the first half that the Panthers were un-able to come back from. The Racers took the lead just under five minutes into the game and held that lead for the rest of the game.
 
Nick Gamble hit a three to start off the game and those would be his only points of the first half. After the three the Racers slowly built a lead over the next 12 minutes of play. With 7:25 remaining in the first half the Racers led by 15 points after a free throw by Sadeeq Bello. Sophomore Andia Marsh provided a much needed spark off of the bench, scoring eight points and going a perfect 3/3 from the field. After a couple of clutch three pointers by both Kevin Rich and Marsh, in the last 90 seconds of the half, the Panthers cut the lead down to eight after 20 minutes of play. Davenport shot 40% from the field during the half and the Racers shot 39.3%. The free throw line was the difference maker in the half as DU went 4/9 and UNOH shot 10/12 from the charity stripe.
 
Both teams made offensive adjustments at the half and came out red hot in the second half. The senior combo of Rich and Gamble carried the Panthers during the second half, combining for a phenomenal 13/20 from the field. However, the Racers combatted those performances with great shooting of their own. The combo of Corbin Pierce and Lawrence Jackson went 10/14 from the field for UNOH. Down the stretch Davenport cut the lead to two or three points multiple times, but were un-able to clear that hump. The Panthers were just a couple defensive possessions away from completing the come back.
 
Rich was outstanding for the Panthers, he scored a game high 27 points, was 4/6 from three, grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists. Gamble had a terrific second half with 17 points on 7/10 shooting, while tallying four assists. The middle part of the first half was what came back to bite the Panthers in the long run.
 
Davenport looks to bounce back on the road next Saturday against Lourdes University. The Panthers will take the week to evaluate different situations from the game and work on them during practice.