Box Score

DELAWARE, Ohio - The Otterbein University men's basketball team dropped a 56-49 contest against Wittenberg on Tuesday night on day one of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Challenge at Ohio Wesleyan.

The Cardinals, now 1-2 overall, came into the game fresh off their first victory of the season last Saturday over John Jay. Otterbein struggled from the field against Wittenberg, shooting just 30.6 percent for the game allowing 13 second-chance points to the Tigers.

Wittenberg jumped out to an 18-6 advantage just over seven minutes into the game before a made three-pointer by junior Corey Howard helped the Cards snap a 12-0 scoring run by the Tigers. Howard totaled 11 points in the initial frame, posting a 4-of-7 mark from the field to help Otterbein stay afloat. The Tigers held a 32-22 lead at the break despite a 10-8 run by the Cards over the final 6:58 of play.

Otterbein trailed by as many as 11 in the second half, but managed to cut the Tigers' lead to a two-possession game multiple times. The closest the Cards came was four points following a pair of made free throws by junior Matt Hughes at the 1:45 mark.

Wittenberg connected on a jumper its next possession before a layup by Howard again pulled the Cards to within four points at 53-49. The Tigers converted three of their final four free throws down the stretch while holding the Cards scoreless over the final minute of action.

Howard led all scorers with a season-high 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, connecting on 4-of-9 shots from beyond the arc. Hughes followed with nine points on a 2-of-8 mark from the field, grabbing three rebounds and dishing out three assists in the process. Otterbein won the turnover battle, forcing 18 while surrendering the ball 13 times.

The Cardinals return home Sunday against Denison in game two of the NCAC-OAC Challenge for their first home matchup of the year. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. inside the Rike Center.