Schnelle scores a season-high 24 as Men's Basketball falls to No. 7 Williams (Mass.) in Coach Connor Classic opener

By: Tim Glon

CRESTVIEW HILLS, Ky. — No. 7-ranked Williams (Mass.) held off a strong second half charge and hung on to defeat Ohio Northern 79-73 Wednesday night in the first round of the Coach Connor Classic at the Connor Convention Center.

The Polar Bears fall to 6-4, while the Ephs improve to 9-1.

ONU will face the loser of Wednesday's second game between tournament host Thomas More (Ky.) and Cincinnati-Clermont in the Consolation Game at 3 pm on Thursday.

The Championship Game is slated for 5 pm on Thursday.

Senior Scott Schnelle scored a season-high 24 points, 19 of which came in the second half, to lead Ohio Northern.

He was 11-of-12 from the floor and 2-of-3 from the foul line in the game.

Junior Taylor Kuhlman and freshman Lucas Pennington each chipped in 10 points for ONU.

James Wang scored 22 points, Brian Emerson scored 14 points and Michael Meyer and Daniel Wohl added 13 points each for the Ephs, who won their eighth consecutive game.

Williams built a 42-31 halftime lead, taking advantage of Ohio Northern's early foul trouble inside.

Schnelle played just five minutes in the first half, picking up two quick fouls and his third foul with 8:15 left in the first half and freshman Adam Bair picked up two fouls in one minute of action.

Northern led 7-2 2:40 into the game on a basket from Schnelle, a three-pointer from sophomore Branden Rushton and a basket from sophomore Dominique Royal.

A 9-0 run gave the Ephs a 16-11 lead with 12:30 left in the first half.

Northern came out hot in the second half with Schnelle and Kuhlman scoring six points each as ONU opened the half on a 14-6 run to climb within 48-45 at the 14:53 mark.

A basket by Schnelle with 5:45 trimmed the deficit to 63-59, but Williams would go on an 8-2 run over the next 2:23 to take a 71-61 lead with 3:22 left to play.

A 3-pointer from freshman Adam Pennington cut the lead to 71-64 with 3:13 left.

After two WC free throws, Schnelle converted a 3-point play and the deficit was cut to 73-67 at the 2:44 mark.

A Schnelle dunk at the 2:20 mark brought the Polar Bears within 73-69.

But Williams would make all six of its free throws in the final 1:56 to hang on for the victory.

Ohio Northern made 31 of 61 field goal attempts for 50.8 percent, including a 18-for-32 effort (56.3 percent) in the second half, while Williams was 26-of-53 for 49.1 percent.

WC out-rebounded ONU 37-24 and was 19-of-23 from the foul line.