PITTSBURGH, Pa. – Otterbein women's basketball earned a solid road win Tuesday night, knocking off Carnegie Mellon 51–47. The Tartans entered the matchup receiving votes in the D3hoops.com poll, but the Cardinals controlled most of the game and made key free throws late to move to 4–2.

Both teams opened slowly on offense, with Otterbein not getting on the board until a basket from sophomore Mattie Walburn at 3:42 in the first quarter. Freshman Cameron Sparks scored twice in the final 35 seconds to send the Cardinals into the second period leading 7–4.

Sparks continued her momentum by opening the next quarter with a layup and an and-one conversion. Otterbein steadily built its lead with contributions from sophomore Madilyn Stechschulte, Walburn, junior Kyla Irby, and sophomore Kiara Hudgins, heading into halftime ahead 21–16.

The third quarter remained close, but the Cardinals maintained their advantage behind consistent scoring from Walburn and Sparks. Stechschulte added another finish inside, helping Otterbein enter the fourth up 33–30.

Hudgins and Irby started the final period with back-to-back buckets, and Irby later connected on a key three-pointer to widen the margin. Carnegie Mellon cut the lead to one inside the final minute, but Otterbein remained composed. Irby knocked down two free throws, and junior Abby Rawlings went 4 for 4 at the line in the final 20 seconds to close out the game.

Otterbein shot 80% at the free-throw line (16 of 20) and held a 42–35 edge on the glass.

Walburn led the team with 14 points, including a 4 for 4 effort at the stripe. Sparks recorded a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds, while Stechschulte added a strong 10-rebound, 5-point effort and Irby contributed nine points.

The Cardinals open OAC play on Saturday with a 6 p.m. road game at Mount Union.