Box Score
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – The Otterbein men's basketball team suffered a tough loss on day two of the NCAC/OAC Challenge Tuesday evening on the road, falling 71-40 at Wittenberg University inside Pam Evans Smith Arena.

The Cardinals (0-2) will be back in action this coming weekend when they return home to host their annual Smokey Ballenger Tournament. Otterbein opens against Denison University Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Wittenberg (2-0) opened the game on a 10-0 run, holding the Cardinals scoreless over the first six-plus minutes of action.
Otterbein only trailed 12-7 as the midway point of the first half approached, but the Tigers pulled away with a 17-3 run spanning the ensuing five minutes. The hosts eventually took a 37-17 edge into halftime.

The Cardinals, just three days after scoring 75 points against nationally-ranked Ohio Wesleyan, continued to struggle offensively in the second half with just five points over the initial seven minutes. Wittenberg extended its lead to 27 in the meantime before coasting on to victory.

Junior guard Jake Phillis led Otterbein with 13 points, shooting 5 of 16 from the field over his 27 minutes on the court. Sophomore Matt Hughes scored eight while freshman Andre Bradley chipped in seven off the bench.

Alex Fultz tallied a game-high 14 points for Wittenberg, which shot 46.8 percent from the field compared to just 25 percent for Otterbein. The Tigers won the rebounding battle, 50-34, and held a 17-2 advantage in second-chance points.

Marian University (Ind.) and Hanover College will be the other participants in this weekend's Smokey Ballenger Tournament. The two schools will kick off the action at 5 p.m. come Friday afternoon.