University Heights, Ohio – January 13, 2010 – The Heidelberg University men’s basketball team, and second-year head coach Anthony Gholson, opened up a four-game road trip with an 85-81 victory over previously nationally-ranked John Carroll University. The game was played at the DeCarlo Varsity Center in University Heights, Ohio.
Tonight’s win is the ninth on the year for the Berg who eclipses its win total from a season ago. Overall Heidelberg stands at 9-5 and are 5-2 in the Ohio Athletic Conference. Within the league standings, Heidelberg stands in a second place tie with Ohio Northern University. The Blue Streaks fall to 9-5 overall and 5-3 against league foes.
Dane Givner (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Harvest Preparatory) had a layup with 4:22 left in the game to cap a 13-0 run and erase a 10-point Heidelberg deficit. Heidelberg extended its late lead to six points, 74-68, following a Nate Davis (Dayton, Ohio / Stivers) dunk with 2:09 on the clock.
The Blue Streaks pulled with one point, 77-76, with just over a minute to play in regulation, but Heidelberg’s Jim Smalley (Middleburg Heights, Ohio / Midpak) answered with a three-point play on the opposite end to help seal the win for the Berg.
Heidelberg had a balanced scoring attack that included four in double figures. Givner led the way with 14 points and four rebounds followed by Josh Calver (Shelby, Ohio / Shelby) with 13 points, six boards and three steals.
Smalley, Davis and Adrian Casey Jr. (Lorain, Ohio / Admiral King) registered 12 points apiece. Davis led the way on the glass hauling in eight rebounds, while Smalley and Casey had seven and five, respectively. Davis also finished with three blocks and Smalley aided the defense with four steals.