DELAWARE, Ohio – The Otterbein University women's basketball team went toe-to-toe with a strong Ohio Wesleyan squad Monday night, ultimately falling 72-62 in non-conference action inside Branch Rickey Arena. The Battling Bishops, who are receiving votes in the latest D3hoops.com national poll, used a third-quarter surge to pull away.

Sophomore Kiara Hudgins paced the Cardinals with 14 points, also adding four assists and four steals. Junior Kyla Irby and sophomore Mattie Walburn joined her in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively, while freshman Cameron Sparks chipped in nine.

Junior Anna Waskiewicz led the team on the glass with eight rebounds, while Sparks and Walburn each added four boards.

The matchup stayed tight throughout the opening half, with neither side leading by more than a few possessions. Otterbein held a narrow 16-15 edge after the first quarter before Ohio Wesleyan took a 36-34 advantage into the break.

The Bishops opened the third quarter on a run, stringing together multiple baskets to build a double-digit lead. Hudgins and Walburn worked to chip away at the deficit, combining for key buckets midway through the period, but Ohio Wesleyan continued to answer to maintain control heading into the fourth.

Despite a late push from the Cardinals, the home team held firm down the stretch to secure the victory.

Otterbein will make its home debut Friday night, hosting La Roche University inside the Rike Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.