Sophomore Devon Allen leads the Men's Basketball team to a 72-56 victory over Otterbein

By: Caleb Scott

WESTERVILLE - The Ohio Northern men's basketball team cruised to a 72-56 victory over Otterbein University, Wednesday night at Rike Center. 

The Polar Bears improve their record to 9-9 on the year and 4-7 in Ohio Athletic Conference play, while Otterbein falls to 3-15, 2-9.

Sophomore Devon Allen scored a game-high 14 points to lead the Polar Bears and sophomore Aron Thress added 10 points and four rebounds for Northern. 

ONU found themselves in an early hole as Otterbein jumped out to a 7-0 lead with 16:58 left in the first half. 

Northern bounced back after an 11-2 run capped off by a layup from Thress made the score 11-9 with just over 8 minutes remaining in the period. 

After a layup by sophomore Alex Radkiewicz the score was tied at 17 apiece with 2:35 left in the half.

The Polar Bears would close the half on a 6-1 run to make the score 23-18 at the intermission. 

Northern started quickly in the second half, as they went on a 15-3 run to open the period, making the score 38-21 with 14:56 left in the contest.

A 3-pointer from Allen would give Northern its biggest advantage on the night, making the score 55-31 with 8:22 remaining in the contest.

Otterbein would fight back and come as close as 56-47 with 4:25 left to play, but Northern would close the Cardinals out as they went on to win 72-56.

The Polar Bears went 22-of-57 (38.6 percent) from the field, including 7-of-21 (33.3 percent) from beyond the arc.

The Cardinals shot 17-of-52 (32.7 percent) from the field and hit 5-of-17 (29.4 percent) three pointers.

Northern will return to the court Saturday as they host OAC foe John Carroll at the ONU Sports Center at 3 pm.