UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Otterbein women's basketball team came up on the low side of a tough road challenge Friday night, dropping a 78-61 contest at nationally-ranked John Carroll.

The Blue Streaks, runners-up in the Ohio Athletic Conference last season, clinch the regular season this time around. JCU entered the week ranked No. 12 in the national poll and improves to 10-1 overall, while Otterbein (7-4) snaps a four-game winning streak with the loss.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Otterbein only trailed 18-16 after a close first quarter, but the hosts opened things up with a huge second frame. JCU won the quarter 24-8, as the Cardinals went almost six minutes without scoring.
   
• John Carroll held a 42-24 advantage at halftime, and dropped another 23 points in the third quarter to create even more breathing room.
   
• The Cards never quit and did their best to claw back, posting 21 points in the final period to help shrink the final margin.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Jenna Hoschouer, reigning OAC Player of the Week, scored 14 to lead the Cardinals while Abby Zerkle had 10 points and a team-best five rebounds.
   
• John Carroll overcame 25 turnovers by holding a dominant 48-23 edge in rebounding, 15 of being offensive, and shooting over 48 percent from the field. Otterbein shot just 35 percent on the night.
   
• Abby Adler poured in a game-high 23 for JCU, shooting 8 of 12 from the field.
   
• John Carroll had 13 blocks as a team.

 
UP NEXT:

Otterbein will return home and look to achieve a weekend split, hosting JCU inside the Rike Center at 6 p.m. Seniors Bryn Mangold, Abby Zerkle and Angelia Jackson will be honored pregame.