Columbus, Ohio – January 20, 2010 –The Heidelberg University men’s basketball team was defeated by Capital University with a score of 68-55. The Berg drops to 10-6 overall, 6-3 in OAC on the year, while the Crusaders improves to 9-7, 4-5 in the conference.
In the first half, the Berg would have its largest lead of five points, when sophomore Casey Kaufman (Sugarcreek, Ohio / Hiland) split two free throws with seven minutes left before intermission.
The game would go back and forth including eight lead changes and four ties, while the teams would go into halftime knotted up at 33-33.
Capital would come out strong in the second half and would go up as much as 11 points, leading 57-46 with six minutes remaining.
With just under two minutes remaining, the Berg would continue to battle and would narrow the lead as low as six points, with Crusaders leading 59-53, when sophomore John Miller (Millersburg, Ohio / West Holmes) found senior Jim Smalley (Middelburg Heights, Ohio / Midpark) under the basket for a quick two points.
However, the lead would be too much to overcome and with clutch free-throwing, Capital would clinch the 68-55 victory.
For the game, Heidelberg shot 42.6 percent (23-of-54) from the field, while Capital shot 49.0 percent (25-of-51).
Freshman Nate Davis (Dayton, Ohio / Stivers) earned his first double-double of his career and led the way with career-highs of 16 points and 11 rebounds, to go along with a game-high three blocks. Backing up Davis was Smalley with 13 points.
Freshman Dane Givner (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Harvest Preparatory) contributed with eight points and a team-high three steals, while senior Travis Kinn (Alvada, Ohio / New Riegel) had six points and was second on the team with seven boards. Kinn also dished out a team-high four assists.
Heidelberg will look to get back in the win column and finishes its four game road trip when it travels to Mount Union College on Saturday, January 23, at 3:00 p.m.