In a make-up road game, the Blackhawks traveled for an Eastern Conference game versus the Columbus Dons. The game was close throughout, but the Hawks came up short in the end as the Dons went on a late run to win 63-50.

The Blackhawks came out riding post player Jack Wendler's inside game, as they went to him on the first four possessions with Wendler scoring three baskets inside and another jumper from 15 feet. It gave the Hawks an 8-0 lead and made Columbus adjust on defense. The Dons got their own offense going, but back-to-back hoops from Dominic Sherwood and Wendler kept the lead at 12-8. The Dons would tie the game, but Brett Baehr scored a pair of hoops, with one coming on a pinpoint pass from Mason Gay. Sam Wells then hit Sherwood on a nice cut to the rim for two. Later the Hawks would get three hoops from Gay, Wells, and Wendler as the game was tied at 26 at the half.

The Dons came out hot the second half and led 36-27 early, but the Hawks reeled them in. A pair of hoops by Gay and a three by junior Colton Paczkowski got the Hawks back to striking distance as they trailed 41-38. More defense was needed by the Hawks as the Dons continued to hit from outside. Five points by Wells kept it close, but a late dry spell by the Blackhawks offense could not be overcome. The Dons went on to win the game 63-50.

The Hawks were 17 of 37 from two-point range and finished with only 13 turnovers.

Box Score: Wendler 14 pts, 7 rebs; Wells 11 pts, 5 rebs, 4 asts; Fritz 6 pts, 12 rebs, 4 asts, 2 stls; Baehr 6 pts, 4 rebs; Paczkowski 5 pts, 2 asts; Gay 4 pts, 4 rebs, 6 asts, 3 stls; Sherwood 4 pts, 5 rebs.

Coach's Comments

The guys played with a lot of guts tonight, as it seems like sickness is going through our team, but they refused to use that for an excuse. We just had a few too many breakdowns on defense, which is unlike us. I liked that we were aggressive for the whole game.