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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Cardinals overcame a sluggish first half to best Muskingum on an energetic Senior Day in the Rike Center early Saturday afternoon, trailing at the break before taking control to win 73-59.

Otterbein, sweeping the Muskies this season, now stands third alone in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) standings as a result of Mount Union beating Heidelberg. The Cards also remain one game back of the Purple Raiders for second.

SENIOR SALUTE:

Prior to the game, Otterbein recognized a handful of upperclassmen as part of Senior Day in the gym. A pair of cheerleaders and videographer Jake Spegal led into a quartet of players in Sean Marks, Jack Clement, Brennan Rains and Cam Evans heading out to embrace their families at center court.

FIRST HALF WOES:

It took a little while for the Cardinals to settle in after that ceremony as both teams traded slim leads over the initial 20 minutes. Otterbein did lead 28-25 down the stretch before a 9-2 run gave Muskingum a 34-30 cushion at the break.

SECOND HALF SURGE:

The Muskies then scored on their first two possessions of the second half and led 39-34, before going cold and scoring nothing over the next seven-plus minutes. Otterbein enjoyed a 20-0 run on the scoreboard during that timeframe to catapult itself into a 54-39 edge.

A gritty Muskingum team didn't go away quietly, using a 12-4 run to creep back within seven points with still plenty of time (5:39) showing on the clock. But, after neither team scored for over a minute, consecutive free throws by Troy Scowden and a slick pull-up jumper from Clement extended the lead back to double digits.

FEELING' GOOD:

Otterbein has now won six of seven games and improves to 10-3 at home this season.

BOX SCORE NOTABLES:

• Evans (28) and Clement (23) combined for 51 points as a dynamic duo, both shooting above 50% from the field as well. Clement pulled down a season-high 11 rebounds for his first double-double of the year.
   
• A rather clean game offensively saw each team only commit five turnovers.
   
• Both teams had 13 second-chance points.
   
• Duane Davis, coming off a 27-point night against Wilmington, poured in another 21 for the Muskies. The lefty was 10 of 16 shooting and also led his club with seven boards.
   
• Otterbein, boasting the league's top-rated defense in allowing just 68.8 points per game, limited Muskingum to a 3 of 19 effort behind the arc.

UP NEXT:

The Cardinals remain on campus for a big Wednesday matchup, hosting No. 1-ranked John Carroll in the last home game of the regular season. Tip against the Blue Streaks will be 7 p.m.