(WILMINGTON, Ohio) - Wilmington could not hold onto their first half lead against Otterbein, falling 76-60 at home on Wednesday night.
The Quakers and Cardinals opened the game with a high scoring back-and-forth quarter. Gabby Russell, Olivia Trusty, and Stephanie Altstaetter each opened the Quakers' scoring with easy buckets. Altstaetter nailed a three pointer with 7:10 to go. After a defensive rebound, Trusty cashed in a deep three. Otterbein responded with their own until Jazz Johnson answered with her own three to lead 15-9 with 5:26 left. The Cardinals' offense took over, going on a 13-6 run to close the quarter leading 22-21.
A free throw by Sierra McCoin tied the two to open the second quarter. McCoin, with 4:31 to go, drained a deep three to retake the lead, 30-29. Altstaetter again answered a Cardinal basket with her own three pointer, retaking the lead 33-31 with 3:20 left. McCoin made a layup and Altstaetter hit a pair of free throws to send the green and white into the half leading 37-35.
Otterbein took over in the third quarter. The visitors opened the second half with a 7-2 run, taking a 42-39 lead. The Cardinals extended their lead to 48-41, after a pair of Russell free throws. Russell scored again, cutting the deficit to seven. Katie Dryer grabbed an offensive rebound and scored the second chance points. After a Cardinals' miss, Olivia Trusty cashed in a three forcing an Otterbein timeout now trailing 50-48 with 4:36 to go. The timeout worked, as the Cardinals closed the quarter on a 9-1 run to lead 59-49 heading into the fourth quarter.
Altstaetter and Johnson each traded baskets with the Cardinals to start the fourth quarter. McCoin cut the deficit to seven with a three pointer, but the visitors' offense continued to score. Otterbein jumped ahead 72-56 3:49 to go, as the Cardinals took control of the final minutes and defeated the Quakers 76-60.
Notables
What's Up Next
Wilmington will head to the University of Mount Union on Saturday for a 4:00 P.M. tip-off.
