BEXLEY, Ohio – The Otterbein University women's basketball team brought the Oar back to Westerville on Saturday evening, defeating Capital 64–54 inside the Capital Center Performance Arena in the annual Battle for the Oar. Otterbein improved to 18–5 overall and 12–2 in league play, reaching 18 wins for the first time since the 2021–22 season while reclaiming the rivalry trophy for the first time since that same year.
Capital held a 19–17 edge after the opening quarter, but Otterbein began to establish itself inside in the second. With just over three minutes remaining in the half, sophomore Kiara Hudgins converted a layup out of a half-court set to even the score. Moments later, junior Abby Rawlings secured a defensive rebound and pushed the ball ahead, leading to another Hudgins layup in transition. That sequence helped spark a closing stretch where the Cardinals built a 34–31 halftime lead.
The third quarter turned into a physical, back-and-forth battle, with neither side able to create separation. Capital carried a narrow 44–43 advantage into the fourth, setting up a decisive final period.
Otterbein responded immediately. Freshman Cameron Sparks opened the quarter with a defensive rebound, and sophomore Mattie Walburn followed with a pull-up jumper off a Rawlings assist to put the Cardinals back in front, 45–44. Moments later, Hudgins came up from behind Samaree Perkins to strip the ball free and took it coast-to-coast for a layup to stretch the lead to 47–44 and shift momentum.
Walburn added another jumper at the 6:59 mark off a Hudgins assist to make it 49–44. Midway through the quarter, Capital was whistled for four fouls in quick succession, sending Walburn to the line twice where she calmly converted all four free throws to extend the lead to 53–48. Otterbein finished 19-of-27 (70 percent) at the stripe, scoring 13 fourth-quarter points at the line to secure the rivalry win.
The Cardinals controlled the game physically from start to finish, out rebounding Capital 49–30, including 21 offensive boards that led to an 18–3 advantage in second-chance points. Otterbein also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Comets 32–12 inside while committing just seven turnovers.
Hudgins led all scorers with 18 points, adding four assists and two steals. Walburn finished with 14 points, while sophomore Madilyn Stechschulte recorded a double-double with 11 points and a season-high 17 rebounds.
With the victory, Otterbein now holds all but one of the rivalry Oars.
The Cardinals return home Wednesday, February 18 at 7 p.m. to host Ohio Northern.
