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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – A back-and-forth matchup eventual fell into the hands of the Otterbein University women's basketball team Tuesday night in the Rike Center, with the Cardinals pulling away to earn a 79-63 win in their home opener.

Otterbein, now 2-1 on the season, scored four-straight points to end the third quarter and then outscored the Battling Bishops 24-15 in the final period en route to victory.

Sophomore guard Dani Kissel found her shot early and often throughout the contest, ultimately tying for a game-high 20 points on an efficient 7-of-11 clip from the field. She also had eight rebounds, three steals, three assists and buried all six free-throw attempts.

Junior post Kiersten Taylor also spearheaded the Otterbein attack with a double-double effort, going for 18 points and leading all players with 10 rebounds in her 31 minutes of action. Point guard Ali Cartnal just missed a double-double herself with nine points and a game-high nine assists, while freshmen Abbie Scholz and Delaney Cutteridge each chipped in nine points as well.

Both sides traded runs in the opening quarter, with Ohio Wesleyan (2-1) holding an 11-10 lead before the Cards closed the frame on a mini 7-0 spurt.

Otterbein led for the entire second period, at one point opening a 30-20 margin after consecutive three-point plays from guard Abby Miduri and Taylor on the same possession, which came sandwiched around an OWU foul. The Bishops then had a quick flurry before halftime and only trailed 34-31 entering the break.

The third quarter featured a one-possession battle until the closing minutes, when Otterbein managed to extend a lead to seven before using the big fourth quarter to secure the contest.
Otterbein shot an impressive 51 percent from the field compared to just 30 percent for the Bishops, but the game remained close due to a wild 27 Cardinal turnovers. Otterbein won the rebounding battle, 52-26, and held a 42-18 scoring edge in the paint.

Ohio Wesleyan's Megan Kuether matched Kissel for a game-high 20 points while Trischa Lacy and Taylor Dickson dropped 16 and 10, respectively, for the visitors. The game featured a combined 44 giveaways from both sides and 47 total fouls.

The Cards will return to the court next Wednesday, Nov. 30 by hosting Marietta College to begin Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) play. Start time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.