Dominican University Stars men鈥檚 basketball team loses home opener in OT
RIVER FOREST, Ill. (BVM) — Dominican University鈥檚 men鈥檚 basketball team lost its home opener in overtime against Principia College, 94-83, on Saturday, Nov. 21.聽
It was the first time the Stars faced the Panthers in program history.聽
Before the game started, graduate student Jackson Smith, one of Dominican鈥檚 starting forwards, celebrated scoring 1,000 points. He reached the milestone on Feb. 20, 2021 against Rockford University. Head coach Mark White gave Smith an honorary game ball in front of the home crowd to mark the momentous accomplishment.聽
The Stars won the opening tip and started the game strong with a 7-2 lead. However, the Panthers scored two straight three-pointers to take the lead, 8-7.聽
The rest of the first half remained even in scoring until the last few minutes when Dominican was able to pull away and end the half with a 50-45 lead.聽
The Panthers started the scoring in the second half, but played catch up until 12 minutes were left in the game when they took the lead, 60-59.
The Panthers kept the lead until three minutes were left in the game when the Stars regained the lead, 71-70. Dominican increased their lead 73-70, but Principia tied it up and with the help of a critical foul made by Dominican. The Panthers tied it up once again at 75 apiece to send the game into overtime.聽
The Stars started the scoring, but the Panthers ran away with the score late in overtime due to some critical fouls made by Dominican. The Panthers outscored the Stars 19-8 to secure their 94-83 victory.聽
Smith led the way for the Stars with 25 points while sophomore guard Jacob Riedl had a double-double with 16 points and 13 boards.聽
Junior forward Nathan Brantingham and junior shooting guard Nate Krampf led the way for the Panthers with 22 and 16 points, respectively.聽聽
鈥淣o doubt we played hard,鈥� Dominican head coach Mark White said. 鈥淲e have a young team as far as experience goes, and we鈥檙e trying to figure out how to win. It was a tough lesson, but I feel like we鈥檙e going to be better for it as we move forward.鈥�
The Stars鈥� next game is Wednesday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. CST in Lisle, Illinois against Benedictine University.
