Skip To Main Content

Otterbein University Athletics

Otterbein Cardinals

Jarius Jones
66
Otterbein OTT 23-6,13-3 OAC
81
Winner UChicago UC 23-4,11-3 UAA
Otterbein OTT
23-6,13-3 OAC
66
Final
81
UChicago UC
23-4,11-3 UAA
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Otterbein OTT 36 30 66
UChicago UC 39 42 81

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Magical run ends for No. 24 men's basketball in NCAA Tournament

CHICAGO, Ill. – Despite a valiant effort, the No. 24 Otterbein University men's basketball team saw its magical season come to a close, falling 81-66 to No. 6 University of Chicago in the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Julian Heckman led the Cardinals with 15 points and dished out four assists. Chase Garito added 12 points, while Jarius Jones was the final player to finish in double figures, contributing 10 points off the bench.

Otterbein withstood the early sharp-shooting storm of the Maroons. The Cardinals managed to knock down six 3-pointers in the first half to keep pace with the hosts. UChicago ended the final five minutes of the opening period on an 11-2 run to claim a small 39-36 lead at the break. 

Out of the break, the Maroons continued to push the pace and bury shots to inflate their lead. Erasing a 13-point deficit the night before, UChicago was too much for the Cardinals to overcome. For the game, UChicago connected on 15 of its 30 3-point attempts. 

The loss concludes the tremendous careers of Heckman, Jones, Reece Huber, Bryan Flannery, Andrew Cleaver, Troy Scowden, Mason Stuck and Brandon McLaughlin. Heckman wraps up his storied career with 1,224 career points – 25th on Otterbein's all-time scoring list.

Otterbein finishes the 2025-26 season with a 23-6 overall record, spending the final six weeks of the year in the D3hoops.com Top 25 poll.
Print Friendly Version
1 South Grove Street, Westerville, Ohio 43081 / (614) 823 - 3546