Heidelberg University Gives Ohio Northern a Run for Their Money

The Heidelberg Univeristy men’s basketball team challenged Ohio Northern University in overtime, but was unable to clinch the win in Heidelberg’s first home sporting event as a University. Ohio Northern defeated Heidelberg 94-88 in overtime. ONU improves their record to 13-5 overall and 8-3 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while Heidelberg falls to 6-12 overall and 3-8 in conference play.
 
The Berg began the game on top after a good Jake Hessey (Crestline, Ohio / Colonel Crawford) jumper in the first nine seconds, but fell to a five point deficit at the 13:13 mark. With just over 11 minutes remaining in the first half, sophomore Kyle Tuley (Berea, Ohio / Berea) made a steal and nailed a dunk to put Heidelberg on top, 21-19. The Berg’s Hessey increased the team’s lead to five points after making a three-pointer with 10:44 remaining in the half.
 
With just over a minute remaining in the half, Ohio Northern’s Ezra Bradshaw scored a layup, putting ONU on top, 42-41. Heidelberg fought back to regain the lead, and Hessey drained a three-pointer just before the end of the half, putting the Berg back on top by two.
 
The beginning of the second half consisted of both teams fighting for control of the score, but Heidelberg took the reins and increased their lead to eight after a good jumper by sophomore Derrick Flynn (Cleveland, Ohio / Padua Franciscan). With just over five minutes remaining in regulation time, ONU’s Kurtis Brown knocked down two free throws to put the Berg down by four.
 
Down by three with just twelve seconds remaining in the game, Heidelberg defied the odds of the clock. After being fouled behind the three-point line, ’Berg junior Josh Calver (Shelby, Ohio / Shelby) nailed all three free throws, tying the game 82-82 and sending the teams into overtime.
 
After 35 seconds of play in OT, Berg’s Calver sank a jumper to put both teams at 84.  Heidelberg lost the lead after Kyle Meyers of Ohio Northern drained two jumpers. Student Prince Jim Smalley (Middleburg Heights. Ohio / Midpark) attempted to put the team back on top after a successful layup at the 2:35 mark, but Heidelberg was unable to reclaim the lead and fell to the Polar Bears.

Travis Kinn’s (Alvada, Ohio / New Riegel) hard work led the Berg both offensively and defensively with 26 points and eight rebounds. Calver and Smalley followed with 17 points each and Hessey added 13. On the defensive end, Tuley added eight boards and Calver grabbed five.
 
The Student Princes travel to Alliance on Saturday, January 31 to challenge Mount Union in an OAC matchup at 3:00 p.m.