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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – It wasn't easy, but Otterbein improved to 3-0 Saturday afternoon despite a late charge from visiting Ohio Wesleyan during a well-attended non-conference battle in the Rike Center.

The two Central Ohio schools, separated by just 16 miles and featuring multiple built-in storylines, exchanged momentum swings before the Cardinals eventually stood on top (73-65) after 40 minutes of action.

BACKGROUND:

• Otterbein taskmaster Andy Winters, recently enshrined into the Ohio Wesleyan Hall of Fame this fall, was coaching against his alma mater and former college coach Mike DeWitt for the second time.
   
• Standout guard Jack Clement, a graduate transfer into Otterbein this past offseason, laced up against his former squad after a decorated four-year run with OWU. He was a second team All-American and NCAC Player of the Year in 2022-23.

HOW IT WENT DOWN:

• The Cardinals could barely miss to begin the day, burying six three-pointers in the first nine minutes to open a 21-12 lead.
   
• Both teams exchanged runs shortly after. OWU responded with a 9-0 spurt out of a timeout, but Otterbein punched right back with a 12-2 sequence of its own for a double-digit cushion.
   
• The Cards finished the half strong, including five points in a short span by Chase Garito, to carry a 44-32 advantage into the break.
   
• Buckets were traded across a second half that saw Otterbein maintain a 9-13 point margin for a good time frame, eventually leading 62-52 with 6:41 showing on the clock.
   
• Ohio Wesleyan made a late charge down the backstretch, striking a 10-2 run over the next few minutes to make it a one-possession game with plenty of time left.
   
• Otterbein clung to the tight lead in trying to get home, sinking multiple free throws but only leading by four (69-65) with 2:23 remaining. However, and fittingly, back-to-back jumpers from Clement in the two possessions after gave the Cards necessary breathing room.
   
• The Bishops scored just three points over the final 4:00 of game time.

BOX SCORE LOOK:

• Clement scored a game-high 23 against his former club and finished with an all-around line of 23-6-5 in playing all but three minutes.
   
• Cam Evans and Brock Waits combined for 21 around the perimeter as well, while Julian Heckman added nine.
   
• Otterbein shot over 50% for the third-straight game this year, including a 10-of-21 mark from long range. The Bishops went just 6 of 24 behind the arc.
   
• Jessee Battle scored 20 off the bench to lead the visitors, which pulled down 11 offensive boards for a marginal 13-5 edge in second-chance points.
   
• The Cardinals now start 3-0 for the second year in a row.

UP NEXT:

• The Cardinals will stay at home for another game prior to Thanksgiving, hosting another NCAC school come Tuesday night against Denison. Tip from the Rike is slated for 7 p.m.