Box Score

TIFFIN, Ohio – The Otterbein University women's basketball team returned to action after a two-week layoff Saturday afternoon, suffering a close 78-77 defeat at the hands of Heidelberg University.

The Cardinals rallied to nearly erase a double-digit deficit down the stretch, but ultimately fall to 5-8 overall and 2-4 within Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). Meanwhile, the Student Princes escape and improve themselves to 6-7 on the season, 4-2 against league opponents.

Heidelberg opened an early 11-3 lead to begin the game, but Otterbein stayed closed and trailed by just one, at 20-19, with 6:54 remaining in the first half. The Student Princes later took a slim 34-32 lead into the break.

Heidelberg bumped its cushion back to eight points early in the second half, eventually getting the margin to as many as 13 with 7:08 remaining in regulation.

Otterbein did not go away quietly, out-scoring the Berg' 23-11 over the next five-plus minutes of action to trim the deficit down to only one, 78-77, on a jumper from Mary Corbett with 1:26 to go.

The Cardinals held their ground defensively on consecutive trips down the floor, giving themselves a few opportunities to take the lead in the final minute. Unfortunately, a missed jumper from Madi Miller with eight seconds left would miss the mark as Heidelberg held off the Otterbein run.

Senior point guard Chelsea Reed finished with an impressive all-around line of 17 points, seven assists and seven rebounds to lead the Cardinals on the day. Mary Corbett (16), Taylor Pifher (14), Amariah Huck (11) and Miller (10) all reached double figures in scoring as well.

Otterbein shot over 48 percent from the field and made 15 of 16 free-throw attempts, scoring 42 of their points in the paint.

Heidelberg shot over 52 percent on the day as a unit despite going just 5 of 17 from three-point range. The Student Princes got 32 bench points and were led by Theresa Jacksons' 13. Heidelberg never trailed in the game.

Otterbein will return to action Wednesday evening, hosting John Carroll University at 7:30 p.m. in the Rike Center.