PHOTO GALLERY

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Another difficult fourth quarter came back to hurt the Otterbein women's basketball team this time around in the Rike Center on Saturday afternoon, as the Cardinals unfortunately relinquished a sizeable lead to watch Muskingum escape with a 61-57 decision.

The Cards led by 18 points with under two minutes remaining in the third quarter, but couldn't quite finish the job as a pesky Muskingum bunch ultimately posted a 24-8 scoring edge in the final frame.

HOW IT PLAYED OUT:

• Neither side manufactured much offensively in a first quarter that ended 9-8.
   
• Otterbein absolutely dominated the second frame, as the Muskies did not score over the final seven minutes heading to intermission. The Cards used a 16-0 run during the span to create a double-digit margin at the break.
   
• The home side appeared to be in total control as the third quarter progressed, seeing the gap tick up to 18 points on three separate occasion. But Muskingum closed the third quarter on a quick 6-0 run to stay within striking distance.
   
• That momentum carried over into the fourth, where the Muskies cut the lead to six (53-47) with just over two minutes left before a 7-0 run over the next 90 seconds propelled them in front.
   
• Otterbein then trailed 56-54 with 34 seconds remaining, and split a pair of free throws before an offensive rebound allowed Majors to attempt a go-ahead trifecta. The shot was off the mark but the Cards maintained possession…
   
• Another missed shot allowed Muskingum to take possession and protect its lead with solid free-throw shooting. The Cards had a game-tying opportunity down 60-57 but that heave from behind the arc also misfired.

 
STATS THAT MATTERED:

• Olivia Majors furthered her recent hot streak on the offensive end by tying for a game-high 18 points, while Clair Radabaugh was critical in adding another 15 off the bench. She went 7 of 11 from the field and controlled the mid-range game.
   
• Katie McCrary, a first team All-OAC guard, made her return to the lineup after missing seven weeks with a hand injury. She finished with a 10-5-4 game while working through a tough 3-of-11 effort from the floor.
   
• Muskingum received 18 points from Tori Jones and ended the day with 26 points off the bench. The Muskies held a 35-26 edge in rebounding.
   
• Both teams combined for 33 turnovers in the contest, which snapped a 10-game winning streak for Otterbein in the series.

 
UP NEXT:

• The schedule doesn't get any easier leading into next week, as Otterbein will have a pair of matchups against nationally-ranked teams Ohio Northern and Baldwin Wallace.