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Otterbein University Athletics

Otterbein Cardinals

Garito
61
Westminster (PA) WES 5-5,1-1 PAC
70
Winner Otterbein OTT 10-2,2-1 OAC
Westminster (PA) WES
5-5,1-1 PAC
61
Final
70
Otterbein OTT
10-2,2-1 OAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Westminster (PA) WES 38 23 61
Otterbein OTT 25 45 70

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Cardinals rally to fifth straight win

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – Ending 2025 with a bang. 

Erasing a 13 point halftime deficit, the Otterbein University men's basketball team used a strong second half to defeat Westminster College, 70-61 in their second game of the Smokey Ballenger Classic. At the conclusion of the tournament, Chase Garito was named to the All-Tournament Team and Julian Heckman was the Tournament MVP. 

Heckman played all 40 minutes and led the Cardinals with 19 points and added seven assists, while recording three steals. He turned in an 8 of 11 performance from the floor. Garito added 11 points, as senior Troy Scowden chipped in 13 off the bench. 

In the first half, the Titans controlled the tempo, leading by as many as 15 points. Heading into the half, Westminster held a 38-25 advantage. With 17:03 remaining, the Titans held a 16 point lead before Otterbein used a massive run to chip away at the deficit. Garito sank a pair of free throws and added a bucket. At the other end, Heckman came away with a steal and hit the layup at the other end to light a spark. 

A jumper from Scowden was answered by another defensive stop. Micah Germany buried a triple from the top of the arc to cut the Westminster lead to six points with just under 14 minutes to play. Midway through the half Otterbein took the lead for good when Heckman found Germany in transition for a 51-49 lead. 

Otterbein continued to pressure the Titans defensively, forcing 12 turnovers that led to 14 Cardinal points. With Heckman and Scowden having efficient games, the Cardinals shot 46 percent from the floor. Otterbein dominated the inside game, outscoring the Titans 42-26 in the paint. 

Freshman Carter Piatt-Brown led the Cardinals with six rebounds. Heckman, Garito, Jarius Jones and Reece Huber all brought down five rebounds in the win. 

Idle until next week, Otterbein resumes OAC play at Baldwin Wallace on Jan. 7. Game time in Berea is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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