Otterbein University Cardinals Claims First-Ever OAC Championship

2/28/2026 5:17:26 PM

Otterbein Claims First-Ever OAC Championship with 51–45 Win Over Baldwin Wallace 

Game Recap 

Otterbein captured the 2026 Ohio Athletic Conference title with a 51–45 victory over top-seeded Baldwin Wallace.  The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead and didn’t look back en route to their first-ever OAC tournament championship.   
 

How It Happened 

The top two regular-season OAC teams battled for four quarters in a defensive battle.  Otterbein jumped out to an early 17-7 lead, only to see Baldwin Wallace respond in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to just three points at halftime.   

In the second half, the teams went back and forth with no team ever leading by more than five points.   

The Cardinals controlled the interior, outscoring Baldwin Wallace in both second chance points and points in the paint.  While Baldwin Wallace received a significant spark from its bench, the Yellow Jackets were unable to overcome Otterbein’s stout defensive effort.   

Late in the game, Otterbein locked in defensively, holding Baldwin Wallace without a field goal over the final 4:39. The Cardinals converted key possessions down the stretch, sealing the 51–45 championship victory. 


Top Performers 

Otterbein 

  • Cameron Sparks led Otterbein with 11 points, while Mattie Walburn and Kiara Hudgins each added 10 points. 

  • Madilyn Stechschulte anchored the boards with 11 rebounds.  

  • Otterbein capitalized with 16 points off turnovers and 13 second chance points.   

Baldwin Wallace 

  • Leah Riley led all scorers with 14 points. 

  • The Yellow Jackets received strong production from their bench, as six players combined for 30 points. 


Noteworthy Points 

  • This marked Otterbein’s third appearance in an OAC championship game and its first OAC tournament title.  The Cardinals will receive the OAC’s automatic bid to the NCAA Division III women’s basketball tournament.   

  • This is Baldwin Wallace’s 18th appearance in an OAC championship game and finished as the OAC regular season champions with a 16-0 record.  The Yellow Jackets will await the NCAA selection show on Monday to see if they receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III women’s basketball tournament.   

All-Tournament Team 

Top performers from the 2026 OAC tournament were named to the all-tournament team: 

Mattie Walburn | Otterbein (MVP) 
Kiara Hudgins | Otterbein 
Cameron Sparks | Otterbein 
Leah Riley | Baldwin Wallace 
Elizabeth Mason | Mount Union 
Emerson Gray | Ohio Northern