WESTERVILLE, OH - Sophomore Dwight Johnson scored 11 points during Wilmington's game-changing 19-3 run that enabled the Quakers to post a 72-61 victory Wednesday over Otterbein in Ohio Athletic Conference action at the Rike Center.

"Dwight has had his share of good games for us," said head coach K.C. Hunt. "The sky is the limit for him, and it was nice to see him play well."

Johnson (Dayton, OH/Jefferson), who finished with a career-high 22 points, capped the spurt with seven straight points. The guard added five rebounds and a team-high three assists in the win.

With Wilmington trailing by five midway through the second half, the Johnson-led charge got started with a three-pointer by junior Klarke Ransome (Richwood, OH/North Union). Back-to-back baskets by Johnson gave the Quakers a lead, but the Cardinals regained their advantage briefly.

Ransome and junior Ben Vonderhaar (Cincinnati, OH/Colerain) scored on consecutive possessions, and WC was off and running as Johnson dropped seven of the next eight points pushing the Wilmington lead to 11 points with 4:33 remaining. Otterbein didn't challenge down the stretch as WC hit 6-of-8 from the free throw line to seal the victory.

"We made some adjustments on the ball screens, but it was really about us," said Hunt. "We weren't playing hard enough, effecient enough or with a mental or physical edge to win on the road."

The first half was a back-and-forth affair with eight lead changes and six ties. Wilmington held a couple leads in the first half, none of which were greater than two points. Meanwhile, the Cardinals never really pulled away either until late in the half as a 10-0 run pushed Otterbein's bulge to 10. OC's previous highwater mark was just four points.

Wilmington was able to get their halftime deficit to within six at halftime and it marks the first time this season the Quakers pulled out a victory when trailing at the break.

Otterbein kept its lead around its halftime advantage before the Quakers gained their footing offensively to seize the game.

Senior Brandon Candella (West Chester, OH/Lakota West) added 17 points and five rebounds. For the second consecutive game, and third time this season, junior Malcolm Heard II (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The Quakers are 3-0 in games that Heard reached double digits in both points and rebounds. Ransome was the fourth player in double figures with 10 points.

Wilmington (6-7 overall, 3-4 OAC) returns home 3 p.m. Saturday to meet Mount Union.