WESTERVILLE, Ohio -- Houghton men's basketball dropped a 73-58 decision to host Otterbein on the first night of the Otterbein Tournament on Friday.

The Highlanders struggled to find any flow offensively and had little offensive production from the front court the entire contest. Houghton was outscored 16-2 in the paint in the opening 20 minutes, but trailed by just five, 33-28, at the break. The Highlanders were helped by a 4-for-10 first half showing from three-point range, while the hosts missed both of their attempts from long range in the opening half.

The Cardinals slowly extended their lead as the second half progressed as Houghton continued to come up empty offensively. The lead grew to as many as 21 (69-48) before the Highlanders used a 7-0 run sparked by a three from Brennen Campbell (Perry, NY, Perry Central). Houghton answered a Cardinals bucket with three free throws to trim the deficit with 13 with 17 seconds left.

Campbell led the Highlanders with 13 points, while Phil Pellegrino (Rochester, NY, Alfred University) chipped in with 11. Jordan Scott (Burlington, ON, Canada, Notre Dame Secondary) scored nine off the bench. Houghton's inside tandem of Johnathan Stowe (Toronto, ON, Canada, Don Mills Collegiate Institute) and Tyler McQuaid (Lowman, NY, Twin Tiers Christian Academy) combined for just nine points on 1-for-13 shooting from the field. 

Despite the team's troubles in the paint, Houghton was outrebounded by just a 41-39 margin. Houghton shot just 26 percent from the field, while the Cardinals hit on a 44 percent clip.

Houghton is back in action Saturday at 6 p.m. when they take on Anderson University in the tournament consolation game.