ALLIANCE, Ohio – Mount Union shook off a slow start to beat Otterbein, 95-68, in an Ohio Athletic Conference men's basketball game Saturday at the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex.

Nathan Bower-Malone had 15 points and five assists, Collen Gurley (Akron / Hoban) came off the bench with 14, Tommy Stenger (North Canton / Hoover) also had 14 and Andrew Francesconi (Tallmadge) had 12 points to lead the Purple Raiders, who are now 13-2 overall and 7-1 in the OAC. Mount Union is now 7-0 at home this season and has won 11-straight dating back to last year.

Jay Joseph scored a game-high 18 points for Otterbein (4-11, 1-7 OAC).

Otterbein jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the game's opening two minutes before Mount Union put in the second unit to spark a 14-4 run. Sophomore Andrew Carbon (Struthers) had eight points during that run including a bucket at the 12:00 minute mark to give the Raiders a 14-12 lead. Four lead changes and three ties would happen over the next four minutes before Stenger would score five-straight points as Mount Union took a 26-20 lead with seven minutes left in the half. Stenger, who had nine in the period, hit a jumper with 4:42 remaining to push the lead to 35-28 and the Raiders would eventually lead 43-38 at the break.

Stenger opened the second half with a three pointer as Mount Union scored nine of the first 13 points of the second half to take a 52-42 lead with 15:52 to play. The Raiders would push the lead to as many as 28 points before taking the 95-68 win.

The Raiders finish out the first half of the conference schedule next Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. at No. 10 ranked Marietta.