BEXLEY, Ohio – The Otterbein women's basketball team defeated its cross-town rival Capital 72-61 in a crucial Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) matchup, as Ali Cartnal scored a career-high 38 points.

The Cardinals picked up their fourth consecutive victory and split the season series between the Crusaders. Cartnal went 11 of 19 from the floor and 6 of 9 behind the three-point arc while making 10 free throws.

The Cardinals (12-7 overall, 8-4 OAC) began the first quarter by rattling off 12 straight points and built a 14-5 advantage. The Crusaders (12-7 on the year, 7-5 OAC) chipped away at the lead and Otterbein led at the end of the first quarter 19-15.

Otterbein picked up the defensive intensity in the second quarter by forcing seven turnovers and holding Capital to 12 points. At the half, Otterbein led 32-27.

In the third quarter, the two squads traded baskets as the Crusaders regained the lead at 46-45 with one minute remaining, it was the first Capital lead since the 7:01 mark in the first period. 

The lead was short-lived, as Cartnal connected on a four-point play before the buzzer and Otterbein held a 51-47 edge heading into the fourth. Otterbein had its largest lead of the game at 71-59 following a Cartnal three pointer with 39 seconds remaining. 

Angelia Jackson chipped in 14 points on 5 of 7 shooting, Abbie Scholz nearly recorded a double-double by tallying eight points and hauling in nine rebounds. 

Otterbein will battle with Wilmington on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. inside the Rike Center.