POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – It wasn't the end result they were hoping for, but finally getting back on the court was a first step in the right direction for a short-handed Otterbein men's basketball team Friday night.

After their first-four games were unfortunately canceled due to CoVID-19 protocols, the Cardinals officially returned to action with an 89-72 loss against some stiff competition. The No. 2-ranked Purple Raiders, who saw their season abruptly halted last winter in the NCAA Sweet 16, remain unbeaten this year at 4-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Despite missing eight players (three starters), Otterbein came out inspired to build a 15-7 lead after six full minutes and lead for the opening 13:11 of game time.
   
• The Cards later stood on top, 27-20, with 9:22 left in the period following a fast-break finish by Dallas Patrick. Included in that stretch were eight points in 46 seconds from John Routzahn, a previous transfer seeing his first action for Otterbein after missing all of last year with an injury.
   
• Otterbein went cold the remainder of the half, as Mount Union ended the frame on a 24-6 scoring run to carry a double-digit lead (44-33) into the locker room.
   
• Mount Union still only led by nine (56-47) at the 13:31 mark of the second frame, but eventually ballooned its lead to 20 points over the ensuing four minutes. Otterbein continued to battle down the stretch but would not get any closer than 14.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Dallas Patrick, reigning OAC Freshman of the Year, had a game-high 25 points and also snagged nine rebounds. Mo Beavers added 14 while Ohio Wesleyan transfer Bryson Lane totaled 12 in his debut.
   
• Mount Union, winning its 24th-straight game carrying over from last season, has scored 89-plus points in every game on the current schedule. They held a 29-15 edge in bench scoring.
   
• Collen Gurley led the visitors with 24 points, including five three-pointers, in just 28 minutes of action. He is a 2x All-OAC selection and buried 11 trifectas during last year's NCAA Tournament opening round.
   
• Otterbein committed 17 turnovers, which the Purple Raiders converted into 23 points on the opposite end.

 
UP NEXT:

The two sides will have a rematch Saturday evening in Alliance, as Mount Union will take its turn playing host at 6 p.m.