PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Despite the snowy elements hitting hard outside, the Otterbein men's basketball team had no trouble handling Polar Bears once the action started inside a warm and energetic Rike Center building Wednesday night…

In the end, the Cardinals left the floor with a convincing 83-66 victory to complete the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) season sweep against Ohio Northern. By virtue of Muskingum falling at Wilmington, Otterbein now currently sits one game ahead of the Muskies for the eighth and final spot in the upcoming OAC Tournament.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The game was tied 12-12 before Otterbein took control, embarking on a 20-4 run to open a double-digit gap by the 5:54 mark.
   
• Ohio Northern chipped away and clawed back to within six points with 1:30 left until the break, but the Cardinals closed the first half strong over the final 90 seconds and carried a 12-point lead (47-35) into intermission.
   
• ONU began the second period with a quick 8-2 run, trimming the margin back down to six points and forcing a Cardinal timeout.
   
• Otterbein regrouped from there, stringing together a decisive 17-5 run and never looking back.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• The 47 first-half points were a season-best for Otterbein, which shot exactly 53 percent from the field in both halves.
   
• Dallas Patrick delivered his fourth-straight game with 20 points or more, and just missed a double-double by snagging nine rebounds.
   
• Sophomore guard Jake Justice dropped a career-high 19, burying five triples from deep, while Justin Carter added 13 on an efficient 6-of-9 shooting.
   
• Otterbein outscored Ohio Northern 16-2 on the fast break and made a season-high 11 three pointers. Nick Koontz directed the show once again with nine rebounds, eight points and five assists.
   
• The Polar Bears were just 6 of 27 from long range and dropped their eighth-straight game despite a balanced four players in double figures.

 
UP NEXT:

Otterbein will have a chance to clinch a spot in the OAC Tournament, welcoming Muskingum to town come Saturday at 2 p.m. A victory would give the Cards another season sweep, and put them two games ahead with two remaining.