ALLIANCE, Ohio – A challenging opening weekend for Otterbein resulted in another loss to No. 2-ranked Mount Union on the second night of a back-to-back, as the unbeaten Purple Raiders pulled away for a 99-73 victory during conference action.

Otterbein unfortunately had another slow finish to culminate the first half once again, with Mount Union ending on a 17-8 run this time around and never looking back. The Cards held a 27-20 cushion last night before getting outscored 24-6 into the locker room.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Another high-scoring contest was on the menu, as the Purple Raiders assumed a 26-18 lead midway through the first half.
   
• The Cards tried to hang close behind the sophomore duo of Dallas Patrick and Bryson Lane, which combined for 25 of Otterbein's 30 points in the opening frame.
   
• Nevertheless, a high-octane attack by Mount Union resulted in the 47-30 advantage at intermission. The hosts went into the break with seven three-pointers and a 12-0 edge in bench scoring.
   
• Otterbein sliced the margin to 12 early in the second half, but the gap was quickly extended back to 20 just minutes later. The Cards never stopped playing down the stretch, but the climb would be too steep.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Patrick had 28 points and eight rebounds while Lane finished with 21 points and five assists. They were the only two Cardinals in double figures.
   
• Otterbein once again competed without eight players due to CoVID-19 protocols, including three would-be starters.
   
• Mount Union, playing again without second-leading scorer Braedon Poole, had a balanced five all reach double figures. Darrell Newson's 18 led the way.
   
• The Raiders held a 38-7 final advantage in bench points and had 14 steals. They have now won 25 games in a row dating back to last season.

 
UP NEXT:

Otterbein will begin preparing for a home-and-home series with Muskingum, traveling to New Concord on Friday and then hosting the Muskies in a rematch come Saturday night.