The Otterbein University women’s basketball team’s historic season has come to an end.
The Cardinals finished their campaign by tying the 2003-04 team for best record in program history, ending the season with a record of 23-6. The Cardinals also captured the fourth 20-win campaign in history.
In the first round of the tournament Otterbein defeated Randolph-Macon College 60-45, led by freshman center Cameron Sparks with a double-double of 14 points and 14 rebounds
The Cardinals ended their season against the No. 4 University of Scranton with a score of 82-43. Sophomore forward Mattie Walburn led the Cardinals in scoring with 14 points, with help from junior forward Nicole Terry, who led the team in rebounds with a total of five.
This NCAA tournament run was not the only highlight of the season. The Cardinals were also crowned OAC champions. Entering the OAC tournament as the No. 2 seed the Cardinals overcame the No. 3 seeded Mount Union in the semifinals, and also ended Baldwin Wallace’s perfect conference record in the final to be crowned champions.
Heading into next season, the Cardinals retain their entire starting lineup, along with all of their key stat leaders. Walburn led the team in scoring with 12.3 points per game, Sparks averaged a team-high rebounds per game with 8.5, and sophomore guard Kiara Hudgins led the team with 3.4 assists per game.
