Springfield, Ohio — December 30, 2010 - Kean University built a nine-point halftime lead and then held off a determined challenge from the Heidelberg University men’s basketball team in the Charles B. Zimmerman Memorial Classic with a 74-70 consolation game victory. Heidelberg drops to 4-7 overall, while Kean improves to 9-4.
The Cougars and the Berg played to a statistical standoff, with the primary difference coming from three-point range. Kean finished 5-of-12 from long distance, while Heidelberg made just 2-of-13. The other glaring statistical difference was free throw shooting as the Cougars hit 79 percent of their 24 attempts, compared to Heidelberg's 20-of-35 performance from the charity stripe.
Still, Heidelberg had its chances late, cutting the lead from 13 points at the 10:48 mark to one at the 5:49 mark when Nate Davis (Dayton, Ohio / Stivers) split a pair of free throws.
The Kean lead was one after a Darion Capers (Dayton, Ohio / Trotwood-Madison) fastbreak lay-up at the 2:20 mark, but the Cougars answered with a three-pointer by Kenny Pace just nine seconds later. That little bit of breathing room was key to the final sequence as Heidelberg missed its last three-pointers while Kean made its last four free throws.
The Cougars was led by Jonathan Jones, who turned in a 23-point, 15-rebound, four-assist, four-steal performance.
Heidelberg’s offense was led by Capers with 14 points and six rebounds. Dane Givner (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Harvest Preparatory) followed and added 11 points and four rebounds as 11 of the 13 Heidelberg players to appear in the game scored at least two points.
Givner was named to the All-Tournament team.
The Berg is back in action Wednesday (Jan. 5) as it travels to Ohio Northern University at 7:30 p.m.