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ALLIANCE, Ohio – The No. 8 seeded Otterbein University men’s basketball team saw its season come to a close Tuesday evening, falling 66-60 at the University of Mount Union in the second round of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament.
The loss ends Otterbein’s season at 8-19 overall, while the win propels fourth-seeded Mount Union (12-14) into Thursday’s OAC semifinal at No. 1 seed and regular-season champion Capital University. The Raiders also defeated Otterbein by the same score earlier this season in Westerville.
"I don't think our record is indicitive of how we played this season and what these guys are all about," first-year head coach Todd Adrian said. "We fought hard every night out and were able to win a tournament game for the first time in six seasons."
Mount prompted Otterbein to call a quick timeout at the 16:08 mark after opening the game on a 9-2 run, and the Raiders later stood on top at 19-9 after Stevie Griffin made his fourth bucket of the game.
Otterbein settled in and began to cut into the lead, drawing within 21-17 after junior Max Van Meter split a pair of free throws with 8:26 on the first-half clock.
Freshman Jake Bischoff connected on a three-pointer two minutes later to make it a one-possession game, and the Cards hung close the rest of the half as Mount took a slim 33-31 edge entering intermission.
Otterbein took its first lead (43-42) with 13:33 remaining in the game, getting a three-pointer from C.J. Julian followed by a nice dish from Andy Yazrombek that led to an easy layup for Jon Juergens.
The Purple Raiders responded with a 15-4 run out of a timeout, opening a 57-47 lead with 7:52 left in regulation.
Otterbein bounced back again, rallying to close within 59-56 after another triple from Bischoff with 4:33 showing on the game clock.
Mount used four offensive rebounds over its next two possessions to help push its lead to 62-56, but the Cards stayed close at 64-60 after yet another three from Bischoff.
Otterbein had the ball down four, but a tie-up underneath the hoop would give the ball to the host Raiders. The Cards were forced to foul from that point, and Mount converted at the charity stripe to hold on for its first postseason victory since 2005.
"Both teams had plenty of chances, but to give them those second and third opportunities after we clawed back into the game was tough," Adrian said. "Every possession counts when you're in a tournament."
Bischoff and Van Meter led the team offensively with 12 points apiece, while Julian chipped in nine off the bench. Yazrombek went just 1 for 6 from the field, but finished with game-highs of 10 rebounds and six assists.
Zach Bakenhaster, playing in his final collegiate game, posted nine points and six boards in 28 minutes of action while classmate Tommy Waterwash scored five.
"I hope all of our seniors can take the tournament win yesterday as a lasting memory, rather than some close losses that maybe could have been wins this year," Adrian said. Our staff couldn't have asked for better seniors and a better group of guys overall to inherit for this first season. Their character has been outstanding."
Griffin led four Mount Union players in double figures, dropping 21 points on a 9 of 16 effort from the field.
Mount Union shot .406 from the field compared to Otterbein’s .377, and both teams finished the game with 40 rebounds. The Cards held a 22-13 edge in second-chance points but Mount doubled up in points off turnovers at 16-8.
Despite the loss, Otterbein was able to win its first OAC Tournament game since the 2007-08 season and Adrian remains excited about the possibilities moving forward.
"I think our best basketball might actually be a couple weeks ahead of us," he said. "Unfortunately, it will be played in open gyms and not against other opponents, but I know these guys will keep getting better every day and we'll continue to move in the right direction."
