Box Score

SPRINGFIELD, OHIO – Otterbein University, led by a career-high 28 points from freshman RaNeal Ewing, got back into the win column Thursday evening with a 64-61 victory over Wittenberg University in Springfield.

The win moves Otterbein to 4-5 on the season, while the loss drops the Tigers to 5-3.

Ewing tallied just two points in the first half before exploding for 26 in the second stanza. He finished the game shooting 10 of 16 from the floor over his 33 minutes of action, hitting four three-pointers and grabbing seven rebounds.

The contest remained close early on until Wittenberg built a 22-15 lead with four minutes remaining before the half.  The Tigers eventually went into intermission leading 27-21.

Back to back three-pointers from Ewing opened the second half and tied the game at 27-27, and the Cardinals took a 35-33 lead at the 16:31 mark on another trifecta from the freshman.

Wittenberg jumped back on top temporarily before Otterbein opened a 54-47 lead with 7:32 to play after a Ewing layup.

Otterbein maintained the lead until two Wittenberg free-throws tied the game at 61-61 with 2:15 showing on the clock.

However, two free-throws from sophomore Colin Echelberry with 30 seconds to go put the Cards ahead 63-61. An Otterbein free-throw after a Wittenberg turnover pushed the scored to 64-61, and a missed three-pointer from the Tigers in the final moments allowed Otterbein to escape with the win.

Senior Chris Davis marked the only other Cardinal in double figures, registering 12 to go along with a game-high eight rebounds. Fellow senior Brice Rausch scored nine while junior Zach Bakenhaster posted eight on 4 of 5 shooting.

The Cards shot .370 from the field in the first half before a staggering .714 in the second, finishing the contest at  .521. Wittenberg shot just .368 from the field. Both teams collected 34 rebounds and hit five three-pointers apiece.

Otterbein hosts its annual Smokey Ballenger Tournament next week, opening against Wisconsin-Platteville Wednesday, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m.