GREENVILLE, Pennsylvania – December 3, 2025 - Hiram College dropped a tightly contested matchup to Thiel College, 61-58, to open up PAC play for the 2025-26 season inside Beeghly Gymnasium. It was a highly entertaining matchup, with the Terriers grabbing a double-digit lead at the intermission before the Tomcats found a rhythm on both ends of the court in the second half to claim the one-possession victory.

The Terriers never trailed in the first half, going into intermission with a 31-19 lead. The team shot 57.1% from the field in the first half, while holding the opposition to just 22.2%. Senior Dushawn Hill led the Terriers with 16 points, scoring nine of them in the Terriers' impressive first half.

Thiel came out in the second half as scoring threats, opening up the first ten minutes of play on a 23-8 run. Despite the run, Hiram kept it close, as Thiel never led by more than 5 points. Sophomore Collin Jones and Hill had two baskets apiece within a two-minute span to tie it back up, 48-48, with 8:43 remaining. Neither team could pull away, as the second half consisted of seven lead changes in a game that was defined by hard-fought defense and relentless efforts on the glass.

The Terriers took their final lead of the night when Hill made two free throws to make it 58-57 with 36 seconds left. The Tomcats followed by getting to the line themselves to go back up by one, 59-58, with 16 seconds left on the clock.

Hiram set up the offense for a great look on their last possession with 10.7 seconds to go, but could not capitalize despite the well-designed offense. The Tomcats would secure the win with two made free throws with 0.4 seconds on the clock. Beyond the second-half surge, Thiel also dominated the offensive rebounding department, totaling 15 offensive rebounds and winning the second-chance points battle, 13-4.

Hiram showed off its balanced roster, as nine student-athletes got into the scorer's column. First-year Drovinsky Ulysse and Jones joined Hill in double-figures with 12 points apiece. Ulysse also led the team with seven rebounds after earning PAC Newcomer of the Week earlier this season.

The Terriers are set to play their first game in Price Gymnasium this season against the Grove City Wolverines this Saturday. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m., with both the men's and women's teams will honor their alums on Alumni Day.