PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein women's basketball team moved to 3-0 in Ohio Athletic Conference play Wednesday evening, starting winter break with a 67-56 triumph over visiting Marietta College inside the Rike Center.

The Cardinals, now a solid 7-1 overall on the season, will enjoy a 10-day regrouping session for the holidays before hosting its annual Smokey Ballenger Classic.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Otterbein, playing just its second home game of the year, opened the night on a lopsided 15-0 run. Marietta committed eight turnovers in the first six-plus minutes, while also missing three shots, before finally scoring at the 3:44 mark.
   
• The Pioneers eventually settled in and outscored Otterbein 20-12 in the second quarter, tying the contest at 27-27 before the Cards took a three-point lead into the break.
   
• Otterbein's defense was once again on full display in the second half, holding Marietta to three points in the third quarter in rebuilding the gap back to double digits.
   
• The Pioneers quickly got back to within six points midway in the fourth, but consecutive three pointers from Angelia Jackson and Abby Zerkle midway through proved critical in keeping Marietta at arm's length.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Otterbein makes it two-straight wins over the Pioneers following an exciting 78-72 victory last year. The two sides had evenly split the previous six meetings.
   
• The Cards went just 13 of 24 at the free-throw line, but outshot Marietta from the field and also forced eight more turnovers (23-15) than they committed.
   
• Otterbein had a 34-17 edge in points off turnovers and never trailed in the contest. Jackson and Delaney Cutteridge both scored 16 to lead the way, with Jackson burying four triples.
   
• Kathleen DeCarlo had game-highs of eight rebounds and five assists. Abbie Scholz added five boards while scoring 13, reaching double figures for the sixth time this year.
   

UP NEXT:

Otterbein will open the Ballenger with Hanover next Saturday night, before squaring up with Denison on Sunday afternoon. Full tournament site can be found on the team's schedule page.