PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – On a day filled with energy and excitement, the Otterbein men's basketball team rallied through emotion in front of its home crowd to blow out Muskingum, 88-68, and clinch a spot in the upcoming Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament.

The Cardinals, who will be back in the postseason for the first time in six years, are locked into the eighth and final seed regardless of what occurs next week. Otterbein is now two games up on the Muskies with two remaining, but hold the head-to-head tiebreaker by virtue of a season sweep.

Prior to the game, Otterbein recognized three senior members of the program in guard Nick Koontz, swingman Austin Springer and student manager Daniel Motter. A four-year contributor behind the scenes, Motter was surprised by head coach Andy Winters during morning shootaround with the opportunity to be in the starting lineup. He ultimately exited the floor after the opening tip to a standing ovation…

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Otterbein was in control from the very start and never let up, opening the day on a 14-0 run behind a well-packed arena.
   
• The Cardinals eventually used a 12-2 run and stretched the lead to 20, with 2:18 left until halftime, but settled for a 45-30 advantage by the break. Otterbein shot 58 percent in the first half.
   
• Otterbein continued pouring it on, running the lead to as many as 26 on a few occasions in the second half in coasting to victory.
   
• Motter reentered the game with a minute left, taking the opportunity to launch a pair of three pointers that just barely rimmed out.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Both Springer and Koontz played integral roles throughout the contest. Springer posted a season-high 15 points while Koontz delivered a career-best 10 assists, to accompany eight points and three steals.
   
• Freshman Dallas Patrick continued his tear, dropping a season-high 30 points on 12 of 21 shooting effort. He also corralled eight boards.
   
• The Cards shot 52 percent on the day compared to just a 38-percent clip for the Muskies. Otterbein held a 42-31 rebounding edge and outscored the opposition 38-18 in the paint.
   
• Muskingum standout Marcus Dempsey, the nation's second-leading scorer, was forced into tough shots throughout but still ended up with 25 on 9-of-20 shooting.  

 
UP NEXT:

Otterbein will have a pair of road games up near Cleveland, heading to John Carroll on Wednesday and then Baldwin Wallace come next Saturday afternoon.