The Muskies second half comeback fell short as Otterbein claimed the 60-57 victory in Ohio Athletic Conference action at the Rike Center.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (6-2 overall, 2-2 OAC), Otterbein (3-6 overall, 1-3 OAC)
• Location: Westerville, Ohio - Rike Center

First Half

• The Muskies took the early 7-2 advantage following a three-pointer by sophomore Jarrell Marsh with 17:22 to play.
• With 15:00 minutes remaining, sophomore Jalen Paige connected with senior Joshua Keyes on a fast break opportunity extending the Muskie lead.
• The Cardinals battled back knotting the score 13-13 with 10:49 remaining.
• Muskingum surged ahead once more as senior Rickey Wilson connected from downtown pushing the lead to 25-20 with 4:28 to play.
• Otterbein outscored the Muskies 13-3 in the final four minutes to take the 33-28 halftime advantage.

Second Half

• Otterbein extended its lead to 37-28 in the opening minutes of the second half following back-to-back jumpers.
• The Cardinals took its largest lead of the half 47-35 with 11:15 remaining before Muskingum came storming back.
• Marsh and Keyes led the comeback, cutting the deficit to 54-52 with 2:01 to play.
• Otterbein was able to withstand the charging Muskies and claim the victory.

Inside the Numbers

• Muskingum saw three athletes finish in double figures.
• Keyes led the Muskies recording his fourth double double of the season netting 15 points and pulling down 10 rebounds.
• Marsh added 15 points, while Wilson chipped in 11 points.
• Muskingum shot 21-for-57 (.368) from the field and 4-for-16 (.250) from three-pointer.
• Matt Hughes and Jake Phillis led the way for Otterbein with 12 points each.
• The Cardinals shot 22-for-57 (.386) from the field and 7-for-17 (.412) from behind the arc.

Up Next

• Muskingum returns to action Thursday, December 22 when they welcome Westminster, Pa. to the Anne C. Steele Center. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 PM.