Otterbein’s men’s and women’s basketball teams tipped off the 2012-2013 season this weekend in their respective tournaments.
The women’s team traveled to Pittsburgh, PA, taking part in the Carnegie Mellon DoubleTree Classic, while the men’s squad stayed in state, participating in the College of Wooster Rotary Classic.
For the men’s team, first year head coach Todd Adrian now assumes the helm. Adrian and the Cards faced no easy task to open the season, taking on Adrian College (MI) and Carnegie Mellon (PA).
On the women’s side, they had a similar task at hand, matching up against the Spartans of Case Western Reserve and the Tartans of Carnegie Mellon.
Women’s basketball
Game No. 1 vs. Case Western Reserve Spartans (11/16)
The lady Cardinals opened up their 2012-2013 campaign squaring off against Case Western reserve last Friday evening.
One of the key questions for the lady Cardinals heading into the season was, who was going to replace the scoring efforts of graduates Kristi Kotterman and Shea McCoy?
In the first half, two of Otterbein’s returning play-makers stepped up on offense, as seniors Hannah Day and Rachel Snedegar combined for 16 of the team’s 27 points.
Despite a combined 18 turnovers and sloppy play from both teams, it was an evenly matched game tied at 27 at halftime.
Following halftime, a three-pointer from senior Allie Leopard put the Cards on top 43-41, giving them some momentum midway through the second half.
However, the Spartans went on a 13-0 run while taking an 11 point lead, which stifled the Cardinals offense.
But the Cards battled back, trimming the deficit to six points following a three-point shot by Day. This was not enough to cut the deficit, though, and Otterbein fell by a final of 63-56.
Day led Otterbein with 24 points (11-24 in field goals) and nine rebounds, and Snedegar added 12 points (5-12 in field goals) and seven rebounds.
Sophomore Tabatha Piper chipped in six points and 10 rebounds.
Case Western benefited from converting on 15 of 20 free throws, while Otterbein notched two of six from the charity stripe.
Neither team had an advantage in the turnover margin, as both turned the ball over 18 times a piece.
Game No. 2 vs. Carnegie Mellon (11/16)
The matchup versus Carnegie Mellon was one the lady Cards could use as a reset game, erasing the previous night’s sloppy play.
That they did, as Otterbein took a 27-22 halftime advantage, thanks to eight of the nine players who checked in scoring at least one basket.
A six point advantage halfway through the second half, gave way to the Cardinals opening up a 14-1 run on the Tartans, and Otterbein took a commanding 52-33 lead.
However, the Tartans refused to go away. Late three-pointers cut their deficit to just three points, with under a minute to play.
Carnegie Mellon followed up with the foul game, sending sophomore Madi Miller to the free throw line. She netted both shots, eventually giving Otterbein the 59-54 victory.
Senior Allie Leopard led the way with 11 points and four assists, while Day and freshman Amariah Huck added 10 points a piece.
Otterbein shot 15-20 from the foul line, while forcing 28 turnovers from their opposition.
The lady Cardinals finish their opening weekend of play with a record of 1-1.
Their next opponent is St. Mary’s (IN) Saturday, Nov. 24 at 4 p.m. in the St. Mary’s (IN) Tournament.
Men’s basketball
Game No. 1 vs. Adrian College (MI) (11/15)
The first half of play saw a handful of lead changes, with both teams going back and forth. The Cardinals led 25-23 at halftime.
After tying the game at 38 all midway through the second half, the Bulldogs went on their first of two 7-0 runs.
But the Cards battled back, narrowing the Bulldog lead to three points, before yet another 7-0 run, to extend Adrian’s lead for good with a final score of 61-49.
Leading the way for Otterbein was junior Colin Echelberry, who was the only Cardinal player in double figures with 10 points.
Junior Max Van Meter chipped in nine points and nine rebounds.
In total, the Cardinals turned the ball over 18 times, while forcing just nine turnovers on their opposition.
Game No. 2 vs. Carnegie Mellon (11/16)
The Tartans of Carnegie Mellon stormed out of the gates to a 13-4 lead, before Otterbein tallied 17 of the next 20 points, on their way to a 29-25 halftime advantage.
Otterbein’s first half surge was not left in the locker room, as the Cardinals opened the second half of play with a 14-4 run, opening a 14 point advantage with just under 16 minutes remaining.
However, much like the previous game’s run by the Cards, the Tartans hit a three-pointer that would pull them within single digits, but to no avail.
The Cardinals would come up strong on both sides of the court, thanks large in part to the rebound advantage (16-10) and success from the foul line (13-17 in second half).
Otterbein eventually would go on to win the game handily by a final score of 75-58.
Four Cardinals checked in with double figures, as the team shot 57 percent from the field.
Senior Zach Bakenhaster led the way with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Echelberry tallied 12 points and three rebounds.
Junior Jon Juergens chipped in 11 points as well, and senior Tommy Waterwash netted two of three shots from beyond the arc on his way to 10 points.
The men’s squad ends their opening weekend of hoops, with a record of 1-1.
Their next opponent is Ohio Wesleyan at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 24, as they take part in the Holiday Inn Airport Tournament in Rochester, NY.
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