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Otterbein University Athletics

Otterbein Cardinals

Noah Gamble
73
Winner Otterbein OTT 1-0,0-0 OAC
71
Misericordia Mis 0-1,0-0 MAC Freedom
Winner
Otterbein OTT
1-0,0-0 OAC
73
Final
71
Misericordia Mis
0-1,0-0 MAC Freedom
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Otterbein OTT 31 42 73
Misericordia Mis 36 35 71

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Late rally lifts (RV) men's basketball past Misericordia

WAYNESBURG, Pa. – Erasing an early deficit, the (RV) Otterbein University men's basketball team opened its 2026-27 campaign with a 73-71 win over Misericordia at the Waynesburg Tip Off Tournament. The Cardinals trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half before rallying in the final 20 minutes. 

Brevyn Coleman's 14 points paced Otterbein, burying 4 of 6 3-pointers. Noah Gamble added 13 points with a 3 for 3 performance from deep coming off the bench, while sophomores Kyle Niehaus and Pharez Nicholas totaled 10 points apiece. Sophomore Carter Piatt-Brown dished out a career-best eight assists, while Niehaus and Mike Steel hauled in seven boards each. Dominic Theado finished with a solid line of nine points, five rebounds and three blocks in the win. 

Tied 9-9, Misericordia spent the next six minutes on a 14-3 run, building to a 25-12 advantage over the Cardinals. Over the final four minutes of the opening half, Otterbein slowly chipped away at the lead, trimming the deficit to single digits at the break. An and-one from Theado along with points from Nicholas and Noah Knostman saw Misericordia leading 36-31 at the half. 

Coleman knocked down back-to-back threes to put the Cardinals down by two with 18:09 to play. Two possessions later, the junior forced a turnover, leading to a fast break bucked from Niehaus to even the contest at 41-41.

After Otterbein rallied to tie the score, the Cougars used a small run to regain the lead. Otterbein continued to answer, not letting the deficit grow larger than five points before taking the lead for good late in the game. Trailing 65-52, a basket by Steel brought the Cardinals to within one off a beautiful feed from Gamble.

With a stop at the other end, Gamble put the Cardinals up for good at 67-65 with 4:54 on the clock after draining a deep three from the top of the arc. Forcing another Cougar stop, a 3-pointer at the other end off the hand of Garito created a two possession advantage. Misericordia continued to battle with Otterbein, but was unable to tie or take the lead. At the horn, the Cougars had a look at a right-handed layup, but fell short allowing Otterbein to complete the comeback victory.

As a team, Otterbein shot 44 percent from the floor (22 of 50), highlighted by a sparkling 52 percent from deep (13 of 25). In the second half, the Cards shot 52 percent from the field, holding Misericordia to a 37 percent mark. 

Otterbein will play the host Waynesburg tomorrow in the championship game. Tip off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
 
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