WILMINGTON, Ohio --- Otterbein pulled through in a tightly contested game to sweep the season series against the Wilmington Quakers, emerging late to leave the Fred Raizk Arena with a 65-57 decision.

THE SCRIPT:

• The Cardinals came out firing on all cylinders as they put up 22 points in the first quarter. At a point early on, the Cardinals went on a 9-1 run and led by as many as 10 points.
   
• Wilmington responded with better defense to win both middle quarters. A low-scoring second didn't see either team score double digits, and the Quakers found more of a groove in the third frame to post a 19-15 edge.
   
• That resulted in the game being tied (41-41) going into the fourth quarter. Otterbein's pressure defense, transition offense, and late free-throw shooting made the difference and sealed the win.  The Cards clung to a 51-49 lead with 4:14 on the clock before keeping the hosts scoreless for more than two minutes.
   
• Sophomore Maizie King and junior Katie McCrary helped close the game out shortly after that stretch with timely layups and free throws.
   

NOTABLE STATS:

• Four Cardinals finished with double-digit scoring (McCrary – 16, Kathleen DeCarlo -11, Olivia Majors – 10, King – 10)
   
• DeCarlo, who averaged a double-double last week, recorded another with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
   
• Otterbein shot more efficiently than the Quakers going 38% from the field and nearly 42% from the three-point line compared to 28% and 10% respectively. The Quakers were 1 of 10 from behind the arc.
   
• The Cardinals ended the third quarter with just six free-throw attempts to Wilmington's 25. However, Otterbein flipped the script by going 12 of 16 during the last quarter.
   

WHAT'S NEXT:

• Otterbein, which will be the No. 4 seed in next week's OAC Tournament, will close out the regular season at Mount Union come Saturday afternoon.