Box Score

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – The Otterbein University men’s basketball improved to 11-11 on the season and 7-8 in league play with an 82-58 victory over cross-town rival Capital University Wednesday evening in the Rike Center.

The loss, which is Capital’s first 20-point defeat since December of 2008, drops the Crusaders to 15-7 on the season and 10-5 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.

Otterbein stood on top at 8-6 early, but Capital found its stride and vaulted to a 17-10 lead nine minutes in.

The Cards stayed close, and took a 25-24 lead after two free-throws from Chris Davis with 4:42 to go in the first half.

The contest was tied at 27-27 before Otterbein closed the half on an 8-2 run, capped by a layup from junior Mark Louks with two seconds remaining.

Otterbein rode the hot shooting of freshman C.J. Julian to start the second half, opening a 53-36 lead as Julian scored 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting over the first five minutes. The spurt was part of a 36-8 run spanning back to the 7:54 mark of the first half.

Capital would get within 13 by the 9:37 mark, but Otterbein pushed its lead to 20 with 5:01 to play en route to the 82-58 victory.

Davis and freshman Max Van Meter each scored 17 to lead four Cardinals in double figures. Julian finished with 16 points while junior Brice Rausch added 12 points, four assists, and three steals.

Scott Robertson scored 14 for a Capital team that shot just .323 from the field and only 4-of-20 from three-point range.

Otterbein shot a blistering .592 from the field while also tallying 11 steals and five blocks.
The team stays at home, hosting Muskingum University Saturday evening in the Rike Center.

The Cards topped the Muskies 58-48 earlier this season in New Concord. Game-time Saturday is set for 7:30 p.m.