Solid Offense Leads 'Berg to Victory

Three players hit double-digits for the Heidelberg College men’s basketball team as it beat John Carroll University 82-74. The win brings Heidelberg up to 17-5 on the year, 11-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference where it also is holding on strong to second place. Meanwhile, JCU drops to 10-11 for the season, 7-8 in league play.

The Blue Streaks managed to keep the score close in the first up until the eighth minute, when the Berg’s offense began its charge and hit its largest lead of the half (13 points) with just under four minutes left. Chad Szalay (Lorain, Ohio / Clearview) led the Student Princes with 14 points in the just the first half, followed by Brian Schmidt (Hinckley, Ohio / Brunswick) with 10.

The second half began where the first left off for Heidelberg, but John Carroll caught back up with six minutes remaining, tying the game at 69. Three straight free throw shots by Szalay gave the Berg back the lead, but not for long, as the Blue Streak tied things back up at 74 with two minutes left. John Carroll would not score another point, however, but Heidelberg would sink eight more for the game.

Szalay an Schmidt led the offense for Heidelberg, dropping in 19 points each. Andrew Lemmon (Port Clinton, Ohio / Port Clinton) joined them in the double-digit category with 11 points, but fell just shy of a double-double with nine boards.

Terry Walsh commanded the court for JCU, hitting 20 points and dishing out four assists, accompanied by Brian Dandrea with 13. Meanwhile, Derek Smith grabbed nine rebounds.

Heidelberg suits up next to face off against Otterbein for the team’s last home game of the season on Saturday, February 16, at 3 p.m.