LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Otterbein women's basketball team played an instant classic with Spalding Saturday afternoon inside the Columbia Gym. Otterbein overcame a double-digit deficit midway through the second half, but were unable to pull off the upset, as Spalding came away with 76-71 a victory in overtime.

Dani Kissel led all scorers with a career-high 31 points, while adding nine rebounds. The Golden Eagles had four different players tally double-digits in the victory.

The Golden Eagles (2-2 overall) jumped out to an early, 7-0, lead three minutes into the game by forcing four tough shots by the Cardinals. Otterbein would respond immediately after by rattling off seven consecutive points of its own and tying the game with slightly over three minutes left in the first quarter. The senior forward Kissel made a layup right as the quarter was coming to an end, as the Cardinals trailed 16-14 at the end of the first period.

Spalding would build a nine point advantage at the 4:42 mark in the second quarter, however the Cardinals continued to fight back by going on an 11-2 run which lasted nearly three minutes.

Megan Goeing of Spalding buried a three-pointer with 21 seconds left in the half, as the Golden Eagles would hold a 36-33 edge at the break.

Kissel led all scorers tallying 15 points, while Ali Cartnal shot an efficient 3-of-5 from the floor which was good for eight points at the break. The Cardinals defense did a stout job by forcing 11 turnovers in the 20 minutes of action.

Spalding would build its largest lead of the game at 10 points early in the third quarter. Otterbein would go on a 7-0 run for the final three minutes of the third quarter, tying the score at 49-49 heading into the final quarter.

The Cardinals (0-3 overall) and the Golden Eagles traded baskets the entire fourth quarter, as both teams registered 16 points in the final quarter. With the scored deadlocked at 65, an overtime period was needed. Spalding would pull away in the final five minutes of action and win by five points.

The Cardinal defense forced a total of 27 turnovers, which resulted in 28 points. The Golden Eagles shot an impressive 42 percent from behind the three-point arc. 

The Cards will remain on the road as they start Ohio Athletic Conference play against Marietta Wednesday night at 6 p.m.