Quakers unable to hold lead in three-point loss

WILMINGTON (February 20, 2003) ­ The Wilmington College Quakers used a 28-6 run to start the second half, opening a nine point lead, but were unable to hold on, as they were defeated by the defending National Champions, Otterbein College, 76-73.

Wilmington (4-10, 2-15 OAC) found themselves down by eight just three and a half minutes into the game before cutting the deficit to one with eight minutes to play in the period. The Cardinals then responded with a 7-0 run to give the visitors an eight point lead. The advantage grew to as many as 11 three times, including at the halftime buzzer as Otterbein went into the locker room with a 42-31 lead.

Otterbein (15-9, 11-6 OAC), who is in a three-way tie for third place in the OAC scored first, opening a 13 point advantage before the Quakers unleashed their 28-6 run, grabbing a nine point lead with 9:10 to play in the game. Otterbein kept chipping away at the lead, and evened the score five minutes later. The two teams went back and forth for the rest of the game, as Deon Short (Cincinnati/Mt. Healthy) scored on a layup with 35 seconds left, giving the hosts a one point lead. Mo Ross of Otterbein then hit a layup 20 seconds later, and added a pair of free throws three seconds later giving the visitors a three-point lead with 12 seconds to play. A Josh Rohrbacher (Columbus/Beechcroft) three point attempt was off the mark at the buzzer as the Green and White were downed 76-73.

Greg Liggens (Toledo/Scott) led four Quakers in double figure scoring with 15 points. Short and Dave Hudson (Bucyrus/Col. Crawford) each scored 13 while Rohrbacher had 10 and Adam Weber (Peebles/Peebles) chipped in nine. Liggens and Rohrbacher each pulled down seven rebounds to lead the team while Liggens dished out a team-high three assists.

Otterbein was led by Aaron Minister and Mo Ross who scored 28 and 26 points respectively.

The Quakers complete a three games in five days streak when they host Heidelberg on Saturday at 3:00 for senior day.