Marietta men fall to Otterbein, 61-55, in home opener
Phillips scores a career-high 22 points in loss

Dec. 6, 2006
MARIETTA, Ohio — Marietta College's junior forward Matt Phillips (Williamson, W.Va./Tug Valley) scored a career-high 22 points but it was overshadowed by a late tip-in by Otterbein College's Tyler Ousley, sparking the Cardinals to a 61-55 victory in an Ohio Athletic Conference game at Ban Johnson Arena Wednesday (Dec. 6) evening. [Box Score]

The win improved Otterbein's record to 4-2 overall and 1-1 in the OAC. Marietta fell to 2--2 on the year, including 0-2 in Conference play.

The Pioneers, who led 8-0 to start the game, trailed for just 4:22 in the first half and 1:45 in the second half until the Cardinals took a 50-49 lead on an Ousley free throw with 3:30 remaining. Otterbein extended its lead to five points before a foul shot and jumper by Phillips brought Marietta within a basket, 55-53. The Pioneers' defense held strong for 34 seconds on their next possession, but Ousley, who finished with a game-high 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven blocks, was able to tip-in a desperation three-pointer as the shot clock expired to give the Cardinals a four-point lead with 31 second to go in the game.

A lay-up by senior Matt Rucker (Proctorville/Chesapeake) cut the lead to 57-55 with 16 second left, but Ousley hit four from the line to seal the victory, Otterbein Head Coach Dick Reynolds' 599th of his career.

Marietta finished the game shooting 20-of-50 (.400) from the floor, including 4-of-13 (.308) from long range to go along with 11-of-19 (.579) from the line. Otterbein went 19-of-47 (.404) from the field, 6-of-19 (.316) from beyond the arc and 17-of-23 (.739) from the charity stripe. The Cardinals out rebounded the Pioneers 40-26 and committed 21 turnovers compared to Marietta's 13.

Phillips added five rebounds and four steals to his 22 points. Sophomore guards Isaiah Creasap (Wooster/Northwestern) and Tyler Morando (Wheeling, W.Va./Wheeling Central) each finished with eight points. Junior center Adam Rockhold (Olmsted Falls) pitched in with seven points and five boards off the bench.

Marietta senior Eric Lechlitner (Seven Hills/Normandy) held Ross Banaszak, the OAC's fourth leading scorer, to just eight points, 12 off his average. Adam Wells contributed 11 points in the win for Otterbein.

The Pioneers will look to end a two-game slide when they play host to Wilmington Saturday (Dec. 9) at 3 p.m. Saturday will be Camp Day with all of the kids that participated in this summer's MC basketball camps getting in free of charge.

Junior Matt Phillips had a career-high 22 points Wednesday night

Box Score