Marietta, Ohio – Otterbein opened up Ohio Athletic Conference play Wednesday night on the road at nationally ranked No. 8 Marietta. The Pioneers showed why they've earned that ranking, improving to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the OAC with the 76-58 win, the loss drops Otterbein to 3-3, and 0-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED :

• Otterbein opened up the night strong, starting the game on a five to zero run.
   
• From there on Marietta opened things up, taking the lead 10-8 minutes later before the Cards battled back to tie things up at 13.
   
• The Cards took a 15-13 lead, and then the Pioneers went on a tear.
   
• Marietta scored 14 straight points, building its lead to 12 at 27-13 before Otterbein was able to stop the drought with a Justin Carter free throw.
   
• The Pioneers finished the first half on another scoring tear, leading by as many as 18 before the Cards got a Kobe Long-Weber three to make things 39-24 at the break in favor of the Pioneers.
   
• Marietta never let the Cards back in the game in the second half, using stifling defense to shut down any hopes Otterbein had at knocking off No. 8.
   
• Marietta outscored Otterbein 39-32 over the final 20 minutes, but the deficit was too much to fight back from.
   

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE :
 

• Dallas Patrick led all scorers on the night with 16 points, he also added seven rebounds.
   
• Kobe Long-Weber added in 12 points off the bench for the Cards, shooting 4-7 from three.
   
• The Pioneers were led by Kyle Matoszkia with 12 points and five rebounds.
   
• Marietta's offense was balanced, with four players scoring in double figures.

 
UP NEXT :

• Otterbein will return to the friendly confines of the Rike Center on Saturday when they host rival Capital following the women's game, tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.