MARIETTA, Ohio – Despite a strong first quarter, the Otterbein women's basketball team ultimately came up short in its Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opener Tuesday night, dropping a 79-63 outcome to host Marietta inside the Ban Johnson Arena.

The Cardinals opened a 28-17 lead after the initial frame before the Pioneers, recently falling out of the D3hoops.com national rankings, countered to win the remaining three quarters on the night.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Otterbein came out firing offensively, shooting over 71 percent from the field after connecting on 10 of 14 shots. The Cards led 13-11 over the midway point before ending the period on a 15-6 run.
   
• The Cardinals extended their gap to as many as 14 in the second quarter, but Marietta eventually settled in to trim the deficit to just two possession by halftime. The Pios benefited from a 12-2 run over a four-minute span and ultimately trailed 40-35 entering the break.
   
• Marietta tied the game (45-45) approaching the middle point of the third quarter before deadlocks at 49-49 and 51-51 occurred near the end of the period.
   
• A difference-making stretch took place to begin the final quarter, as Marietta began the period with a lopsided 10-0 to take control for good. Otterbein did get back within single digits (65-57) with five minutes left on the clock, but Marietta regrouped to quickly extend the lead back.
   

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Otterbein shot just 33 percent from the field after that blazing first quarter while the Pioneers were an even 50 percent after intermission.
   
• Katie McCrary (18) led all scorers and Kathleen DeCarlo added 15 of her own. Jenna Hoschouer just missed a double-double with nine points and nine boards, while Alexis Amabile added nine points in just 11 minutes off the bench.
   
• The Pioneers dominated the glass to finish with a 46-26 rebounding edge, including a whopping 20 on the offensive end. Marietta also used a balanced effort with four players scoring in double figures.
   
• Otterbein was efficient from behind the arc in burying 10 of 16 attempts, most notably all six in the first quarter.
   

UP NEXT:

• The Cardinals will finally get back home in the Rike Center to host its only game in 2022, welcoming cross-town rival Capital as part of a doubleheader come Saturday evening. Start time is scheduled for 5 p.m.