BEXLEY, OHIO – Cross-town rival Capital (1-3, 1-2 OAC) handed Otterbein (0-6, 0-2 OAC) a 68-54 loss Saturday afternoon at the Capital Center in Bexley.

The Crusaders opened the game strong, taking a 16-8 lead on a Spencer Niekamp three-pointer at the 11:57 mark.

Otterbein stayed within striking distance, as Capital kept its lead at six after Niekamp buried a jumper with 5:40 to play before the half.

The Cards then went on an 11-3 run and took a 27-25 lead with 90 seconds to play in the opening half on a pair of free throws from junior Alan Kavanaugh.

The host Crusaders would take a 30-28 edge into the half.

OC regained the lead, at 36-34, when guard Brian Pollock connected on a three-pointer at the 16:13 mark.

Capital then outscored Otterbein 16-3 over the next six and a half minutes to open up a 50-39 lead.

The Cardinals scored the game’s next four points, but were never able to get any closer the rest of the way as Capital would play to a 68-54 victory.

Pollock led Otterbein with 12 points while senior Cory Ratai scored ten on 5-of-7 shooting. He also tied for a game-best six rebounds.

Crusader guard Ben McGrath led all scorers with 14 points while Scott Robertson and Niekamp chipped in 13 and 11, respectively.

Otterbein shot .426 from the floor and Capital held a .412 shooting percentage. However, the Cards committed 18 turnovers compared to just 11 for Capital.

The team returns home to take on Ohio Northern on Wednesday. Tip-off from the Rike Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.