OTTERBEIN, Ohio— The Mount Union women's basketball team used a 38-19 second half to take down Otterbein 62-50 and earn the six and final seed into the Ohio Athletic Conference tournament Saturday afternoon.
 
The Purple Raiders (10-15, 7-11 OAC) were led by freshman Elizabeth Mason (Alliance / Marlington) and junior Dae Dae Nash (Akron / Buchtel) with 13 points each while Mason grabbed eight rebounds.
 
Otterbein (9-16, 7-11 OAC) were led by Maizie King with 13 points and eight rebounds.
 
FIRST QUARTER
Otterbein jumped out to a 6-2 lead early in play, but Mount Union responded with a 6-1 run with four points coming from junior Hailey Haywood (Barberton). Otterbein then responded with a 7-0 run to take a 14-8 lead with 2:31 remaining. Mount Union got back-to-back buckets within 26 seconds to end the quarter at 14-12.
 
SECOND QUARTER
Otterbein got off to a hot start in the second quarter with a 10-1 run taking a 24-13 lead with four minutes left in the quarter. Mount Union closed to within seven twice, but Otterbein pushed the lead back out to nine at the halftime break.
 
THIRD QUARTER
Mount Union got the third going with a jumper from junior Ali Hudik (Mentor / Lake Catholic) and two free throws from Mason to close with five. Otterbein pushed the lead out to nine once again with 4:53 remaining however Mount Union responded with an 11-0 run to take a 45-42 lead as five different Raiders got in the scorer's column. Otterbein finished the quarter with a free throw as Mount Union led 45-43.
 
FOURTH QUARTER
Mount Union kept the pressure on Otterbein as Mason hit a free throw and a layup to push the lead out to 48-43. Otterbein got within one point at 48-47 but Mount Union dominated the final five minutes as they outscored Otterbein 14-3 taking the victory.
 
With the win Mount Union earned the tiebreaker over Otterbein and got the last seed into the OAC Tournament. The Raiders will hit the road in hopes of upsetting a top seed on Tuesday at 7 PM at a site to be determined.