CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Otterbein women's basketball team settled for an opening split to begin its 2023-24 season, traveling down to the Lauren Hill Tip-Off Classic hosted by Mount St. Joseph.

The Cardinals launched their stay nicely in the tournament, blowing past Kenyon College, before a frustrating setback to the host Lions in the second go-around on Friday afternoon.

KENYON RECAP (W 65-45):

A matchup with Otterbein alum and former assistant coach Mary Corbett (now in her second year at Kenyon) fell in favor of Diana Noles, debuting her fourth year guiding the Cardinals.

The first half was all Otterbein, which built a 17-11 lead after one quarter and then was even better in the second by holding Kenyon to just six points on 2-of-13 shooting. That defensive stoutness helped the Cards take a 32-17 edge into the break.

Otterbein then had its best offensive quarter in the third, dropping 19 points after using a balanced shot chart within close range, behind the arc and at the charity stripe. The Cards ran their lead to a whopping 34 points early in the fourth and Kenyon shrunk the final margin late.

Katie McCrary led the charge with game-highs of 19 points and five steals. Three other Cardinals scored double figures in Olivia Majors (13), Maizie King (12) and Claire Radabaugh (10).

King, Radabaugh and Ella Nagel pulled down eight boards each to lead a dominant effort on the glass, where Otterbein posted a 47-31 rebounding edge that included 17 on the offensive side.

The Cards also held an 18-8 cushion on points off turnovers.

MOUNT ST. JOSEPH RECAP (L 65-53):

Otterbein once again started off nicely, leading 13-10 after one frame and then carrying a tight 24-21 edge into halftime. The Cards did lead by seven (21-14) midway through the second before MSJ closed strong before the break.

Unfortunately, the Lions erupted with a big second half offensively to jump ahead and steal the show. Both sides traded buckets in a tight third quarter that saw MSJ hold a 38-35 lead with one period left…

Mount St. Joseph then poured in 27 points during the fourth quarter alone to seize the day. It was just a four-point margin (48-44) with five minutes to play but MSJ used a 17-6 run from that point to create separation.

Both teams shots roughly 40% for the game, but the Lions went 69% in the final quarter as a difference maker. The two sides also combined to go just 7 of 31 from long range.

Radabaugh led Otterbein with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting while newcomer Kyla Irby added an efficient 11 off the bench. Natalie Allen snagged eight rebounds.

Madison Drummonds nearly had a double-double with 14 points and eight caroms on the home side.

LOOKING AHEAD:

The Cards will have a full week off to regroup and keep finding their form, ultimately heading over to the DePauw Invitational for another pair of games in Greencastle, Ind.