Box Score

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Cardinal men's basketball team suffered a 66-59 loss to Denison on Sunday afternoon in its home opener inside the Rike Center.

Otterbein (1-3 overall) has fallen by seven points in each of its last two games, having lost by a combined 18 points in their three defeats so far this season. Senior Bryan Mackenzie led the team in scoring for the third time in the last four games, totaling 15 points to accompany four rebounds and two assists.

The Cardinals came out firing on all cylinders through the first two minutes of play, scoring the game's first seven points to jump out to an early lead. Junior Matt Hughes was credited for two of the team's first three baskets, with freshman Nick Koontz burying a three-pointer to round out the remainder.

Denison then manufactured a 7-0 scoring run of its own, knotting the score at seven apiece at the 15:29 mark. Otterbein did not fold though as it battled the Big Red over the next 11 minutes, with made baskets aplenty for both sides.

The Cards took a 23-22 lead with 4:39 left in the first half on a made layup by junior Michael Howard, before the Big Red ended the frame on a 12-0 run to take control of the momentum. Denison concluded the half shooting 48 percent from the field, while Otterbein finished at 27.8 percent.

Denison stretched its lead to as many as 17 in the second half, which was the total deficit for Otterbein with 7:38 remaining. Mackenzie helped the Cards stay afloat, scoring five of their next seven points to pull them to within 10 points of the Big Red.

The Big Red extended their lead to 12 points with 5:23 left to play, before another slashing layup by Mackenzie moved the Cards closer to narrowing their deficit inside double-digits. Otterbein came as close as four points following a made three-pointer by sophomore Connor Clark with less than a minute remaining, but Denison managed to convert seven of its final eight foul shots.

Mackenzie finished with a 4-of-12 mark from the field, knocking down all seven of his free throws. Clark, freshman Nick Koontz, and senior Jake Phillis each tallied seven points to follow for the Cards, while Hughes and freshman Austin Springer each scored six points.

The Cardinals round out their competition in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC)-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Challenge against Ohio Wesleyan at 6 p.m. inside the Capital Center at Capital University.