BEREA, Ohio – A tough task was in store Thursday night for the Otterbein women's basketball team, hitting the road to play No. 8-ranked and undefeated Baldwin Wallace inside Ursprung Gymnasium.

The Yellow Jackets (9-0), fresh off a Sweet 16 appearance last year in the NCAA Tournament, remained perfect on the year after extending a two-possession game at halftime into a double-digit lead. BW ultimately settled with a 62-45 decision.

Otterbein, playing without star point guard Katie McCrary due to injury, fall back to even this year both overall (4-4) and within the Ohio Athletic Conference (2-2).

THE SCRIPT:

• BW shot 64% from the field across the opening frame en route to building a 22-14 lead, the highest-scoring quarter for either team on the night.
   
• Otterbein's defense stood tall in the second quarter to keep the game closing, holding Baldwin Wallace to just six points on 1-of-13 shooting. The Cardinals only managed 10 points themselves, however, but still trimmed the gap to just 28-24 entering halftime.
   
• The Cards had three turnovers in the opening minutes of the third, but still only trailed by eight (39-31) heading down the stretch of the period. BW would strike a quick 6-0 run and carry a double-digit cushion into the fourth.
   
• A low-scoring quarter on both sides saw the Jackets open a 19-point margin and cruise down the stretch.

 
BOX SCORE NOTABLES:

• BW shot 47% for the game compared to 36% on Otterbein's side.
   
• Bella Vaillant scored a game-high 16 points for Baldwin Wallace, which also held a 22-8 edge in bench scoring.
   
• Olivia Majors and Kathleen DeCarlo each scored 10 to pace Otterbein.
   
• The Jackets out-rebounded the Cardinals by a 38-22 gap, including 10 on the offensive end.