COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Salem University Tigers men's basketball team opened their 2026–27 campaign on the road Monday afternoon, falling 91-69 to Ohio Dominican University at Alumni Hall.
Salem built an early advantage out of the gate, sparking an 8-2 run over the opening three minutes behind a game-opening three-pointer from Vaughn Prosser and an inside putback and perimeter hit from Matija Otasevic and Chrisean Oree. However, Ohio Dominican responded behind perimeter shooting from Gator Nichols and interior work by Brady Moore to take control, heading into the locker room with a 48-38 halftime lead.
The Tigers pushed back early in the second half, cutting into the deficit as Jamari Gamble and Mansley Dorneval converted consecutive transition buckets. Ohio Dominican countered with a sustained offensive run, capitalized by perimeter hitting from Camden Cox and inside scoring from Isaac Spurrier to stretch the lead down the stretch.
Otasevic anchored Salem's effort in the paint, recording a double-double with a team-high 18 points and 15 rebounds while adding four assists and three blocks. Gamble provided consistent backcourt scoring, finishing with 17 points and five rebounds. Off the bench, Tanner Fields contributed nine points on 3-of-4 shooting.
Salem shot 41.8% from the field and converted 19 of 31 free throw attempts, collecting 39 total rebounds. Ohio Dominican finished at 45.1% from the floor and knock down 10 three-pointers.
