BEREA, Ohio – An early lead and workmanlike finish allowed the Otterbein men's basketball team to vault back into the win column Saturday afternoon, holding on for a 75-67 road victory at Baldwin Wallace.

The Cardinals opened a 42-26 lead by halftime but were forced to grind it out following the intermission, nevertheless beating the Yellow Jackets for a third-straight time in the process. Otterbein also tallies its first OAC win this year.

HOW IT PLAYED OUT:

Otterbein scored the first seven points and ultimately began the game on a blitzing 25-8 run just over the midway point of the opening frame. The Cards led by as many as 21 approaching the break before BW slightly chipped into that gap.

Despite some jockeying early in the second half, Otterbein still led by 18 a good way into the second after a triple hit from Chase Garito at the 12:17 mark. Baldwin Wallace struck a rally over the next few minutes with a lopsided 18-5 run, clawing back to make it a two-possession affair…

The hosts then converted a layup with 2:47 on the clock to get within a single possession (67-64), but a timely layup from Otterbein forward Troy Scowden on the opposite end extended the cushion back just a bit.

BW missed a three-pointer going the other way, Jack Clement grabbed a key rebound, and solid free-throw shooting in the final minute helped Otterbein emerge from Ursprung Gymnasium.

BOX SCORE NOTABLES:

Clement paced Otterbein with 19 points while Scowden and Garito teamed for 25 down low, shooting a combined 11 of 18 in the process. Cam Evans just missed a double-double with 13 points and eight boards.

Otterbein shot 44% for the game and held a 41-33 rebounding margin. The Cards also made all but two of their 15 attempts at the charity stripe.

Ray Ellington turned in a double-double effort for BW with game-highs of 26 points and 10 rebounds. The relatively clean game featured just 15 combined turnovers.

UP NEXT:

The Cardinals get back home to play Wilmington before Christmas, hosting the Quakers next Tuesday (12/19) for a tip at 5 p.m.