Box Score
ALLIANCE, Ohio – The Otterbein University women's basketball team suffered a tough Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) road loss Saturday afternoon, watching the University of Mount Union erase a 14-point deficit in the second half and ultimately prevail, 62-57.

The Cardinals have now split the season series with the Purple Raiders, falling to 7-14 overall and 3-11 in the OAC as a result of the loss.

Otterbein opened strong to begin the contest, using a 10-0 scoring run early in the first half to take a 14-4 lead by the 12:29 mark.

Mount Union (11-10, 5-9 OAC) clawed its way back to trail 16-14 with 6:41 to go before the break, but the Cardinals would stand tough and ultimately take a 33-28 lead into intermission.

Otterbein remained on the gas pedal early in the second period, flying out on a 13-4 run to open a 46-32 lead by the midway point.

The Purple Raiders didn't go away, responding with a stunning 26-6 run down the stretch to jump ahead 57-53 as the game clock moved under 1:00.

Otterbein point guard Chelsea Reed made a layup to get her team back down two points with 46 seconds to play, but the Cardinals would begin fouling to send Mount Union to the line. The Raiders converted 5-of-6 free throws from that point to escape victorious.

Junior Tabatha Piper led Otterbein with a double-double effort, posting 18 points and 11 rebounds on a 7-of-11 shooting performance from the field. Reed added 16 points and five assists while Madi Miller scored nine.

Chandler Moore led all scorers by dropping 23 points for Mount Union, which shot just 32 percent for the game, including 6-of-27 on three-pointers, but forced Otterbein into committing more than twice as many turnovers at 23-10.

The Cardinals shot 42 percent from the floor throughout and won the rebounding battle, 44-33.

Otterbein stays on the road throughout next week, traveling to Wilmington College Wednesday evening before looking to get even with crosstown-rival Capital on Saturday.