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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein men's basketball team turned in a bounce-back effort Tuesday night heading into Thanksgiving, returning to the Rike Center and manufacturing a nice 78-57 victory over Waynesburg in non-conference play.
The Cardinals, jumping to 3-1 on the season after a recent loss at Case Western Reserve, opened strong with a 15-poind lead midway through the first half and ultimately securing a wire-to-wire victory.
HOW IT WENT DOWN:
- Fifth-year senior Justin Carter buried a trifecta on the game's opening possession, and Otterbein stood on top from that point on. The Cards built a 26-9 lead midway through the opening frame.
- Otterbein kept its foot on the gas, doubling up the Yellow Jackets (36-18) on a pull-up jumper from Bryson Lane in the closing minutes before the break. The home side eventually carried a 38-25 cushion into the locker room.
- Waynesburg (2-2) stayed within shouting distance early in the second half, trying to keep the deficit around 10 points, but the Cardinals ballooned their lead back on multiple occasions.
- Otterbein bumped the gap to 58-41 on a pair of free throws from Dallas Patrick with 9:14 left on the clock, and kept the opposition at arm's length down the stretch.
STATS THAT MATTERED:
- The Cardinal bench outscored the Yellow Jackets reserves 39-6; Cam Evans led the second unit with 12 points.
- Otterbein scored 28 of its points in the paint, compared to 20 for Waynesburg.
- Waynesburg hit just 18-of-50 shots from the floor. The Cards were slightly better, hitting on 25-of-52 attempts.
- Four Cardinals scored in double-figures, Dallas Patrick led the way with 13.
UP NEXT:
The Cardinals will have a full week off to enjoy the holiday, and will be back in action next Wednesday when Adrian College visits the Rike Center. Starting time for that matchup is also scheduled for 7 p.m.
