ADA, Ohio - Spurtability.
"That's what [basketball analyst] Clark Kellogg calls it," said Heidelberg University men's basketball coach Anthony Gholson. "The press allows teams to go on spurts by forcing turnovers, creating offense and changing the momentum of the game."
When Ohio Northern's Jared Horstman hit a free throw to complete a three-point play, he put the Polar Bears up 42-23 with 2:49 left in the first half.
Trailing by 19, Gholson watched his team respond.
The Student Princes roared back with a 23-3 spurt that spanned the halftime intermission.
The rally propelled Heidelberg to an 82-74 victory at the ONU Sports Center.
After Ohio Northern (7-7, 3-4 OAC) took a 71-70 lead with 3:15 to play, The 'Berg's Ishaam Smith Jr. (Richmond Hts.) drained a 3-pointer to put Heidelberg (8-6, 3-4 OAC) back on top to stay. The Student Princes closed the game on a 12-3 run.
Smith finished with 15 points.
Reigning OAC Player of the Week Dane Givner (Pittsburgh, PA/Harvest Prep) had a game-high 19 points while Nate Davis (Dayton/Stivers) finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds, his 15th career double-double.
Five Student Princes finished in double-figures.
Heidelberg shot 55.3% from the field, including 7-of-10 from beyond the arc. Transfer Keith Mackie (Detroit/Fr. Gabriel Richard) had 13 points, including three 3-point shots in as many attempts.
Gholson and company return to the road on Saturday. They take on Otterbein, with a 3 p.m. tip-off.