WESTERVILLE, Ohio – A huge bounce-back victory was in store for Wednesday night for the Cardinals, who scraped out a 65-60 win over Marietta inside the Rike Center.

The Cardinals, exacting revenge after a disappointing road loss against the Pioneers earlier this season, get themselves to 11-7 within OAC play and stay firmly alive in the chase for a postseason home game.

Marietta, fresh off a victory against No. 14-ranked Ohio Northern, now also rests 7-4 against the league.

HOW IT PLAYED OUT:

• The Cardinals flew out of the gate to drop 25 points in the first quarter, shooting a blistering 10 of 16 (.625) in the frame.
   
• Marietta settled in and turned the tables before halftime, embarking on a 13-0 run to begin the second quarter and jumping in front. Otterbein regrouped to hold a one-point lead (32-31) at the break.
   
• A very low-scoring third frame eventually saw Otterbein string together an 8-0 run, and later carry a five-point game into the fourth.
   
• The Cards opened a handful of double-digit leads as the fourth quarter progressed, including a 58-47 cushion before the Pioneers came storming back with one last effort.
   
• Marietta sliced the lead to three points with 1:21 remaining, and then only trailed by two (on a pair of occasions) in the closing minute. But fifth-year seniors Jenna Hoschouer and Kathleen DeCarlo connected on both free throws each time to help sustain the edge.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Olivia Majors and Hoschouer combined for 37 points on the home side. Majors, continuing her recent hot streak, has now made 13 three-pointers and averaging nearly 22 across the past three contests.
   
• DeCarlo benefited the cause nicely with a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds.
   
• Otterbein held the Pioneers to just under 30% shooting for the night despite giving up 18 offensive rebounds.
   
• Marietta's Erin Hahn nearly flirted with a triple-double by going for nine rebounds, eight steals and six points.
   
• The Pios finished with a 23-4 advantage in points off turnovers.

 
UP NEXT:

• Otterbein stays at home to finish out the week, hosting Muskingum for the second game of a doubleheader this Saturday at 4 p.m.