Box Score

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Led by a career-high 20 points by sophomore Tabatha Piper, the Cardinals opened up Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) action with a 70-57 win over Marietta College at the Rike Center Wednesday night.
 
The win improves Otterbein University to 5-1 overall, 1-0 in the OAC. Meanwhile, the Pioneers fall to 1-2 in league play and 4-3 on the season.
 
Piper was one of three Cardinals who scored in double-figures. She had a fine outing from the field by hitting 8-of-11 attempts, including 2-for-2 from behind the arc, to lead the Cardinals to the win.
 
Senior Rachel Snedegar posted a double-double of 16 points and a career-high 15 rebounds. She also had a team-high four steals for the Cards. Senior Hannah Day chipped in 12 points in the winning effort.
 
Neither team could seize momentum early in the game. Through the first 13 minutes of the contest there were several lead changes and neither team possessed a lead of more than four points.
 
Leading by four with seven minutes to go in the first half, Otterbein closed out the frame with a 15-4 run to extend their lead to 37-22 at the break.
 
The Cards carried the momentum of the first half out of the break by opening the second half on a 15-8 run capped off by a layup-and-one by Piper to make the score 52-30 with 14:34 left in the game.
 
The Pioneers tried to mount a comeback late when they went on a 10-4 run to cut the lead to 65-55 with two minutes remaining in the game, but Marietta was never able to close the gap any further, allowing Otterbein to cruise to the victory.
 
The Cardinal defense frustrated the Pioneers throughout the game. Marietta finished the game with 25 turnovers which led to 27 points for Otterbein.
 
Both teams shot 44% from the field, however, Otterbein shot 5-of-10 (50%) from 3-point territory compared to Marietta's just 2-of-11 (18%).
 
The Cardinals return to action this Saturday afternoon when they travel to New Concord to take on Muskingum University (3-4, 0-2 OAC) for a 3 p.m. tip.