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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Otterbein University fell short in its quest for an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) upset Saturday evening, dropping a 76-66 decision to league-leading University of Mount Union inside the Rike Center.

The Cardinals fall to 4-17 on the season and 3-11 within the conference as a result, watching the Purple Raiders win for the 15th time in 16 games. Mount now stands at 17-3 overall and an OAC-best 12-1.

Mount Union got off to a hot start from long distance, making six of its first 10 attempts from three-point range to take a 25-16 lead.

The Cardinals settled in and quickly responded, rattling off 10-straight points to grab a 26-25 lead with 8:49 to play in the opening frame.

Mount Union battled back with seven-consecutive points of their own before taking a 42-37 lead into halftime.

The Raiders eventually got the lead to double digits by the 13:08 mark of the second half, but Otterbein stayed within striking distance and trailed by just nine at the midway point after a pair of free throws from Jake Bischoff.

Mount Union ultimately regained control for good, bumping the lead back to double figures a few possessions later before extending the cushion to 18.

Otterbein fought until the end, cutting the lead down to 10 before the final buzzer sounded.

Bischoff finished with a game-high 15 points to lead four Otterbein players with 10 or more points. Matt Rhodes scored 13, Jon Juergens added 12 and Grant Fenner finished with 10.

Cody Dillon and Stevie Griffin scored 14 and 12, respectively, to lead the Purple Raider offense.

Otterbein returns to action Wednesday evening with a 7:30 p.m. home game against Wilmington College.