HILLIARD, Ohio -- In a tough non-conference game against Springfield, Hilliard Davidson faced a challenge without two of its toughest players in senior Ethan Royer and junior Gage Keys.

Fortunately for Davidson, Springfield was also dealing with a shortage of depth with standout senior RaHeim Moss out for the game.

In a tightly contested battle that came down to the wire, Davidson (14-3) held off a late charge from Springfield (11-7) to come away with a 63-60 victory.

With Davidson leading 60-53 with 2:43 remaining, the Wildcats looked to be in the driver's side to a convincing win. The opposite happened, as poor free throw shooting and three-straight turnovers led to a 7-0 Springfield run to tie the game at 60 with 1:03 remaining.

In the final 63 seconds, neither team made a field goal, as Davidson knocked down three of six free throws and held Springfield without a bucket to pull away.

Davidson did not lead throughout, as Springfield controlled most of the second and third quarters.

With Davidson leading 21-18 in the early stages of the second quarter, Springfield went on a lightning quick 10-0 run, as sequential flagrant and technical fouls on Davidson senior Desean Stokes led to seven points on a single possession for Springfield senior guard David Sanford.

Leading 37-31 at halftime, Springfield appeared to be in control of Saturday's game thanks to its fast pace and full court pressure that forced Davidson into a bevy of mistakes.

Responding with a great defensive effort in the third quarter, Davidson held Springfield to nine points in the period, as a buzzer-beating turnaround jumper from game MVP Jacob Drees knotted Saturday's game at 46 heading into the final frame.

Leading by as many as seven points in the final period, Davidson looked strong in stages, but its lack of quality ball handlers allowed Springfield to get back into the game and nearly steal a win on the road. 

Drees led Davidson in nearly every category, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. The most versatile player on the floor, Drees handled the majority of ball handling duties for the Wildcats, while also serving as the team's top passer and shot blocker.

Senior guard Caleb Stimmel knocked down five threes and finished with 18 points, giving Davidson a reliable shooting option on the perimeter. Stimmel shoots the ball as well as anyone in the area and makes Davidson really tough to stop when he's in a rhythm.

With four players in double figures, senior forward Christian Gillilan continued a breakout season with 11 points and 11 rebounds, controlling the defensive glass and proving to be a tough force to stop around the rim.

Senior guard Carson Felicetty rounded out the scoring with 10 points, while fellow senior Joey Maynard added five points. 

For Springfield, Sanford was terrific throughout, finishing with 21 points. Junior wing Jalan Minney added 13 points, none bigger than five-straight points in a matter of seconds that tied Saturday's game with a minute to go. 

With Sanford and Minney as the only players in double figures, juniors Raymans Cole and Larry Stephens each added eight points for the Wildcats. 

Picking up another quality win, Davidson improves to an impressive 14-3 record, winning 12 of its last 13 games. The biggest test of the Wildcats' season will come on the road at rival Hilliard Bradley next Saturday. Handing the Jaguars its only regular season loss  a year ago, Davidson will be looking to notch another major win against its district rival once again. 

Jacob Drees (6'7 G/F / Hilliard Davidson / 2019): The Cedarville signee was everything for a short-handed Davidson team against a tough opponent. Finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and three blocks, Drees' impact was felt in every area of the game. A point forward that handles the majority of the ball handling duties for Davidson, Drees is a very productive player despite not having great athleticism or explosion. Able to back down defenders and see over the defense into the weak side corner, Drees delivered some pinpoint passes into the shooting pockets of his teammates, the biggest on a triple from senior Joey Maynard that extended Davidson's lead to seven points late in the game. While outside shooting is nearly non-existent in Drees' arsenal anymore, the senior forward plays a great mid-range and in game, as he can score with a bevy of post moves on the block, has great footwork and patience in the post and a deadly turnaround jumper that he's utilized in some big moments this year. The most versatile player on the floor, Drees played most of his offensive possessions on the perimeter while leading the game in blocks on the other end as an interior defender who uses his size and wingspan to his advantage around the rim. When Davidson is at full strength and Drees is flying around the floor and letting his offensive game come to him, the Wildcats are a tough out and a team that can play with anyone in the area. 

David Sanford (6'1 PG / Springfield / 2019): With its senior leader RaHeim Moss out on Saturday, Sanford stepped up in a major way and nearly led Springfield to a big win on the road. Finishing with 21 points, three rebounds and three assists, Sanford was a very difficult matchup on the perimeter. Getting into the lane whenever he wanted, Sanford made some big plays, knocking down a trio of threes, finishing at the rim and hitting all eight of his free throws. With a tight change of pace handle and unique ability to create for himself and others, Sanford was very impressive against a Davidson team that has shut down most of the top guards it has faced in the last two years. 

Christian Gillilan (6'7 PF / Hilliard Davidson / 2019): If you're a junior college program reading this sentence right here, you should probably pick up the phone and give Gillilan a call. A 6-foot-7 power forward with a ridiculous wingspan and improving game, Gillilan is one of the most intriguing late bloomers in Central Ohio. A primary target for jucos and NAIA programs, Gillilan continues to improve as he is now an automatic double-double machine. Finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds, Gillilan was all over the glass on both ends, while blocking three shots. With a pure shooting stroke, improving finishing ability through contact, a wingspan that looks like it extends to 6-foot-10 and solid handling coordination, Gillilan could be a very productive two-year player at the junior college level. 

Caleb Stimmel (6'3 WG / Hilliard Davidson / 2019): Stimmel will be joining Drees at Cedarville this fall, but not on the basketball court. A standout golfer who is one of the very best in the state, Stimmel is also one of Central Ohio's elite shooters. A deadly spot up shooting threat, Stimmel was in a rhythm from the very beginning, as his nine points on three triples helped Davidson lead 18-14 after a quarter of play. With solid size at 6-foot-3 and a quick release, Stimmel is a great perimeter piece for Drees, who did an excellent job of running the Davidson offense. Able to knock down shots off spot ups and off movement, Stimmel is the type of player who could win you a district title if he gets hot in the right moment. Stimmel finished with 18 points on five healthy looking threes, as a few of them didn't even touch the rim on the way down. 

All photos provided by mitch brown of central ohio photography. Check out central ohio photography at centralohiophoto.com or on twitter at @sportspicsohio