MARIETTA, Ohio – Otterbein delivered a valiant effort in the first half Wednesday night at nationally-ranked Marietta, but the contest would unfortunately get away from the Cardinals a bit after halftime inside Ban Johnson Arena.

The Cardinals, entering the game holding four wins in a row, finished on the low end of an 87-62 to the defending Ohio Athletic Conference champs. They now stand 6-2 on the young season and will have a full two weeks off to regroup.

Marietta, ranked No. 8 in the latest national poll, moves to 6-2 on the winter campaign. The Pioneers only two losses so far have come to No. 1 Randolph-Macon and No. 20 Roanoke.

HOW IT WENT DOWN:

• Otterbein fell behind 11-5 before settling in nicely, stringing together a 12-4 run over the next few minutes to jump in front.
   
• Ties ensued at 17-17 and 20-20, until three-pointers from Justin Carter and Jake Justice gave the Cardinals a 26-20 lead and forced a home timeout.
   
• Marietta regrouped and finished the half well, posting 14 of the next 21 points to carry a slim 34-33 edge into the locker room.
   
• The Pioneers, averaging nearly 87 points per game this season, found their groove after intermission…
   
• Otterbein still only trailed by 11 approaching the midway point of the half, but Marietta exploded and ballooned the lead to as many as 28 points.
   

STATS TO NOTICE:

• The Pios dropped 53 points in the second half, where they shot 63 percent from the field. Tim Kreeger scored 17 points on the night while Jason Ellis (16) and Mason Lydic (14) benefited the cause.
   
• Dallas Patrick scored 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while also snagging six rebounds in the process. Brennan Rains added 14 of his own off the bench.
   
• Marietta held a 40-18 scoring edge in the paint and only committed seven turnovers the entire way.

LOOKING AHEAD:

Otterbein will return from the holidays to host the Smokey Ballenger Classic on December 29 and 30. Ohio Northern, Olivet and Ohio Wesleyan will also take part inside the Rike Center.