By R.G. Mason

12/30/2023

WESTERVILLE, Ohio – It was a program defining way to punctuate the calendar year for Otterbein, as the Cardinals knocked off previously unbeaten (and No. 23-ranked) Illinois College in a one-possession battle to claim the 2023 Smokey Ballenger Classic title on Saturday night.

The Cardinals, blowing out Adrian College to begin the two-day event, emerged 74-71 over the Blue Jays in what became a high-level contest of shot making and defensive pressure throughout. IC, making the NCAA Tournament last year, suffers its first loss of the year after rattling off a dozen straight to begin.

Jack Clement and Cam Evans represented Otterbein on the All-Tournament Team, with Clement receiving Most Valuable Player honors. They were joined by Braylon Dickerson (Adrian), Jonathan Gernatt (Covenant), Buzz Ritzel (IC) and Jake Mezrimas (IC).

Otterbein moves to an 8-3 record this year and has now chalked up four wins in a row.

ADRIAN RECAP (W 98-61):
The opening half featured a rapid pace, with Adrian holding a 14-13 lead until the Cardinals absolutely kicked into a heightened offensive gear. Otterbein proceeded to rip off a 27-6 run over the ensuing nine minutes of game time, flipping that slight deficit into a lopsided 41-20 cushion.

The Cards remained on the gas pedal into the break, carrying their 52-28 lead into the locker room.

Otterbein, behind a nice home/holiday crowd, held serve to begin a back-and-forth second frame and led by 37 points across the midway point. The race to 100 points came up just short despite guard Sean Marks (multiple trifectas) and others off the bench showing their skills down the stretch.

The Cardinals shot a blistering 59% as a team for the night, getting a very efficient 19 points from Jack Clement (7-of-8 shooting) and another 15 from Marks. Alex Hannah added another 10 himself as the team posted a wild 60-31 edge in bench scoring.

Otterbein went 13 of 13 behind the arc and limited the Bulldogs to a 4 of 19 clip in the same category.

ILLINOIS COLLEGE RECAP (W 74-71):

A rugged battle in the two-day finale saw Otterbein come out firing on all cylinders, drilling multiple three-pointers to build a 25-12 lead after roughly 12 minutes.

The Blue Boys, defending champs of the Midwest Conference, kicked into gear with a huge 21-5 run nearing the end of the first half. That push gave the visitors a temporary 33-30 lead before a quick six from the Cards put the home side back up at intermission.

A memorable second half featured seven lead changes and another three deadlocks through 15 minutes. Otterbein faced a brief 58-52 hole (largest lead by either side) at one point before quickly surging back via six straight, capped by consecutive layups from Evans.

Otterbein clung to a one-point lead with two minutes left, but a timely jumper from Jared Kreager in transition provided a little more breathing room at 70-67. Neither team would score for the next 90 seconds as the Cardinals notched three defensive stops.

A loose ball pickup/steal by Evans with 25 seconds remaining allowed the Cards to play ahead in the foul game, making all four at the charity stripe to hold on.

Clement scored 18 to go along with eight rebounds and four assists while handling the reins offensively up top. Evans finished with a game-high 20 points and now sits just five away from 1,000 for his career. Julian Heckman reached double figures at 10, including a huge trifecta and key free throws late.

Ritzel and Mazrimas both scored 16 to pace a balanced Illinois College lineup, which got nine from Josh Harris after he scored 20 on opening night against Covenant.

Otterbein shot 46% for the game while IC finished with an even 40% clip. Both sides also tallied 18 bench points.

HAPPY NEW YEAR:

The Cardinals will resume action following the flip of the calendar, taking on Ohio Northern back into conference play come Wednesday.

COURTESY OTTERBEIN ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS