Despite putting three scorers in double figures, the Maryville men's team dropped its 2015-16 season opener to Ohio Dominican 84-69 as part of the Crossover Classic. The hot-shooting visiting Panthers finished with a .585 clip and hit half their 3-point attempts.
 
Down by one, Marvin Grant-Clark hit two free throws to put the Saints up 5-4, and he followed with a layup for a three-point edge. ODU scored on its next possession before Saikou Jallow answered for a 9-6 lead. The teams traded baskets before the Panthers went on a 10-2 burst. Back-to-back jumpers by Jeff Leeson pulled the Saints back to 21-17. ODU scored 13 of the next 17 points and settled for a 42-32 lead at the break.
 
Karson King hit a short jumper to start the second half before the Panthers scored six in a row. Max Mischkulnig halted the ODU run hit a layup but the visitors scored eight straight to seize control of the contest. The Saints made a mini-run with seven-in-a-row. Leeson knocked down a triple, and Grant-Clark made four more free throws to pull Maryville to 68-53. The Saints got as close at 76-63 when Jallow hit a corner jumper but the Panthers kept the Saints away over the final four minutes.
 
Leeson hit 5-of-9 shots from the field and finished with 12 points. Grant-Clark hit all nine free throws en route to 11 points. Mischkulnig added 10 points. Trent Weaver topped the Panthers with 17 points and added 10 rebounds.
 
The Saints are back in action Saturday at 5 p.m. when they face Trevecca Nazarene, which lost 97-66 to Truman State in the first game of the day.