WILMINGTON, Ohio - Otterbein University led for just 57 seconds in regulation, but the Cardinals forced overtime and came out ahead of the Wilmington College women's basketball team 70-65 in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) action from Hermann Court on Wednesday evening.
Otterbein scored the first basket of the game three minutes in, but would not lead again until a minute to play in overtime as a Hannah Binkley three-pointer capped a 6-0 Wilmington run to end the first quarter with the hosts leading 17-11.
The Quakers, who shot over 60 percent from the field in both the first and second quarters, opened up a 15-point lead when a Kelly Noll layup went through with three minutes to play in the first half. The Cardinals answered with an Abby Miduri layup, but Wilmington countered with a jumper from Maddie Snider to take a 34-19 edge.
Otterbein would score two more baskets in the first half while Wilmington added a basket and a free throw to hold a 37-23 edge at halftime.
The Cardinals opened the second half with some full-court pressure that forced several Quaker turnovers. Otterbein would outscore Wilmington 18-11 in the third quarter and trailed by seven (48-41) after 30 minutes.
The Quakers held the slim lead through most of the fourth quarter until a Keirsten Taylor layup tied the game 59-59 with 1:47 to play. Neither team would score on their final possession of regulation.
Wilmington opened the overtime session by converted one-of-two free throw attempts in each of its first two possessions. Otterbein tied the game with a Taylor jumper, but two Mackenzie Campbell free throws gave Wilmington a 63-61 edge with 2:07 remaining.
Hannah Binkley intercepted an Otterbein pass on the ensuing possession, but the Cardinals swiped the ball back and Cartnal delivered three of her game-high 25 points with a triple giving the visitors a 64-63 edge.
Campbell's potential go-ahead jumper rimmed out with over a minute to go, and Cartnal delivered again for Otterbein on the next possession as the Cardinals took a 68-65 edge. This time, Campbell scored putting the Quakers within a point, but a Taylor layup followed by an Otterbein defensive stop sealed the win for the Cardinals.
"I thought we gave great effort tonight and played well in spurts," Head Women's Basketball Coach Jerry Scheve said after the game. "We did not close the game out, make enough free throws or handle pressure well enough to win."
Wilmington shot 23-of-52 (44.2 percent) from the field compared to 28-of-71 (39.4 percent) for Otterbein. The Quakers made just 14-of-25 (56 percent) free throw attempts, however, while the Cardinals made 8-of-9 (88.9 percent). The hosts did with the rebounding battle 45-32, but committed 25 turnovers.
Individually, Campbell turned in a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. Hannah Binkley and Emily Harman both scored 10 points.
The Quakers (8-8, 3-6 OAC) sit in sixth place through the first half of conference play. Wilmington hosts Heidelberg University for a 3 p.m. contest on Saturday.
