Box Score WILMINGTON, Ohio – The Otterbein University women's basketball team tallied its fourth-straight win with a 75-74 overtime defeat of Wilmington on Wednesday night.
The Cardinals picked up an important win as the season winds down to its final three Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) contests, as Otterbein moves into the sixth spot behind Heidelberg, who defeated the Cards in the first meeting, in the conference standings at 7-8 in league play.
Otterbein made four of its first six shots to begin the game, tying Wilmington at nine points apiece through the first four minutes of play. Sophomore guard
Abby Miduri totaled seven of the Cards' 17 points to help the team gain a two-point lead after one quarter.
Both teams scored well in the second period combining for 32 points on an even 16 points apiece. The Cardinals trailed by four points with
1:50 remaining in the opening half before ending the period on a 6-0 scoring run to take a 33-31 lead. Junior forward
Taylor Pifher scored seven points in the quarter.
Neither team fell behind by more than five points in the second half, while the Quakers claimed the largest lead of the night at 61-56 following a three-pointer by junior Brittaney Jefferson with 2:46 left in regulation.
Otterbein quickly tied the game at 61 points apiece thanks to back-to-back shots from behind the arc by Miduri.Freshman guard
Dani Kissel again tied the game on a pair of free throws with 20 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.
The Cards trailed for over two minutes to begin the overtime period before Pifher made two free throws with 2:07 on the clock to give Otterbein a 70-68 advantage. Wilmington tied the game twice down the stretch as Jefferson made two key baskets down the stretch for the Quakers.
Senior forward
Amariah Huck also contributed a clutch basket and free throw to give the Cards at 73-72 lead with 27 seconds remaining. Wilmington freshman Mackenzie Campbell was fouled on the following possession and converted two free throws to help the Quakers regain the lead. Freshman guard
Ali Cartnal drew a foul on the ensuing possession, connecting on a pair of her own free throws to seal the road victory.
Pifher tied for the game-high and posted a career-best 17 points on a 7-of-11 shooting performance off the bench. Huck totaled 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds for her 12th-straight game with at least 11 points and five rebounds.
Miduri finished with 12 points and a game-high seven assists, while Kissel and Cartnal combined for 21 points. Otterbein benefited from a 14-6 advantage in fast break points.
Otterbein takes its 12-10 overall record to cross-town rival Capital on Saturday for a 4 p.m. tilt in Bexley, Ohio.
