NEW CONCORD, Ohio – A massive fourth quarter by the Otterbein women's basketball team propelled them to a critical road win at Muskingum on Saturday afternoon, as the Cardinals trailed by double digits in the second half before flying ahead for an eventual 76-70 decision.

The Cards get even to split the season series with Muskingum as a result, and move into a tie with John Carroll for fifth in the league standings. Mount Union is one game back of the sixth (and final) spot for the upcoming OAC Tournament.

HOW IT PLAYED OUT:

• It was not pretty to begin for the Cards, mustering just 21 points by halftime as the home side built a marginal seven-point lead at the break. The Cards were just 6 of 34 from the field prior to intermission.
   
• Muskingum ran its lead to 13 early in the third frame before Otterbein was able to grind and keep the score within shouting distance. The gap was shrunk to six late in the period but another triple from one of the DeMassimo sisters put the Cards back in a nine-point hole.
   
• The closing quarter would see Otterbein soar back on a 10-0 run to begin, featuring six points from Ella Nagel in the lighting sequence. Deadlocks at 58-58 and later at 68-68 would ensue during the one-possession battle entering crunch time…
   
• Nagel converted a key layup down low with 1:02 remaining, and Katie McCrary then cruised into the passing lane for a timely steal on the other end. She glided ahead to make a fast-break layup and put her squad up 72-68.
   
• Caitlyn DeMassimo brought the score back to 72-70 with a layup for the Muskies, but crisp free-throw shooting by freshman Kyla Irby and Abby Rawlings help Otterbein hold on.

 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Another incredibly balanced effort guided Otterbein as five players scored double figures in close proximity – Claire Radabaugh (12), Olivia Majors (11), Irby (11), McCrary (10) and Maizie King (10).
   
• The Cardinals were a PERFECT 25 of 25 at the free-throw line, as eight different players kept the rhythm intact, good enough to set a new program single-game record.
   
• Otterbein shot 59% in the second half to nicely offset the first-half struggles.
   
• DeMassimo dropped a game-high 31 for Muskingum.
   
• The Cards finished with a 31-6 edge in bench scoring.

 
NEXT WEEK:

Ironically enough, Otterbein will take on John Carroll and then Mount Union next week in what is likely to decide postseason fate for multiple schools. Tip from JCU (on Wednesday night) begins the stretch at 7 p.m.