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Otterbein University Athletics

Otterbein Cardinals

Kyla Irby
44
Otterbein OTT 1-1,0-0 OAC
68
Winner Ohio Ohio 2-0,0-0 MAC
Otterbein OTT
1-1,0-0 OAC
44
Final
68
Ohio Ohio
2-0,0-0 MAC
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Otterbein OTT 11 7 14 12 44
Ohio Ohio 9 15 22 22 68

Game Recap: Women's Basketball |

No. 15 women's basketball hangs tough with Division I Ohio

ATHENS, Ohio – Trailing by six at halftime before drawing even midway through the third quarter, the No. 15 Otterbein women's basketball team showed plenty of fight against Division I Ohio University in a 68-44 setback. The Cardinals continued to compete throughout the contest, showcasing their toughness and resilience against the Bobcats.

Otterbein played in OU's Education Day, where over 4,000 local elementary school students and teachers were in attendance for the game. 

Senior Kyla Irby led the Cardinals with 11 points, while Mattie Walburn, Cameron Sparks and Anna Waskiewicz each added seven points. Sparks led Otterbein with nine rebounds, while Waskiewicz grabbed seven. 

From the jump, Otterbein forced the Bobcats into difficult shots and pressured the hosts. Trailing 9-6 with 1:19 to play in the first quarter, an offensive board by Waskiewicz led to a 3-pointer from freshman Kennedie Hill, tying the game at 9-9. Hill turned defense into offense, with a steal at the other end leading to a fastbreak layup by Waskiewick, the Cardinals led 11-9 after the first quarter. 

In the second quarter, the teams continued to trade buckets before Ohio went on a small run to close out the period. A pair of free throws off the right hand of Sparks halted the Bobcat momentum, with Ohio leading 24-18 at the half. 

Otterbein continued to battle with the Bobcats in the second half, as back to back jumpers from Walburn tied the game at 28-28 with 5:52 to play in the third quarter. Ohio would immediately answer, closing out the quarter on an 18-4 run to create distance from Otterbein heading into the final period. 

The Cardinals started the fourth with points from Sparks and a triple by senior Abby Rawlings to cut the deficit to 10 points, but could not close the gap to single digits. Rawlings finished with four assists and four steals -- both team-highs. 

Despite a tough shooting day for the Cardinals, Otterbein hung with the Bobcats and did not allow the hosts to truly find their rhythm until late in the contest. Otterbein forced the Bobcats into 23 turnovers, leading to 18 points. 

On Saturday, Otterbein heads to La Roche for a 2 p.m. tipoff.
 
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