The Berg Overpowers Cross-Town Rival

The Heidelberg College men’s basketball team picked up a quick lead and did not look back, beating cross-town rival Tiffin University in their home opener. The Student Princes defeated the Dragons 79-68. Heidelberg remains undefeated with a record of 2-0, while Tiffin starts their season off 0-1.
 
Heidelberg senior Jake Hessey (Crestline, Ohio / Colonel Crawford) put the first points on the board after sinking an early three-pointer just over a minute into the game. With 12 minutes remaining in the first half, Ryan Treese (Delaware, Ohio/ Ruthurford B. Hayes) made a jump shot to extend the Berg’s lead to 11, 17-6 .

With two minutes remaining in the half, Tiffin’s Alan Bradford made two free throws to bring the Dragons within five, but Heidelberg stood strong and kept the lead after the first half, 33-28.
 
A defensive rebound by ’Berg’s Kyle Tuley (Berea, Ohio / Berea) led to another Hessey three-point shot after two minutes of second-half play, giving Heidelberg a six-point lead.

Tiffin fought back to tie the game with a layup by Rafael Cuellar with just under 13 minutes remaining in the contest. The Dragons tied the game for the second time at 44-44 with 10:28 remaining, but the Berg never lost the lead.

Heidelberg’s second-half lead concluded at 11 points after Jim Smalley’s (Middelburg Heights, Ohio / Midpark) two good free throws clinched the game.
 
Heidelberg shot 50 percent (23-of-46) from the field and 78.4 percent (29-for-37) from the line. The Berg recorded four three-pointers, three of which were made by Hessey.
 
Five Heidelberg players reached double-figures led by Smalley with 18 points. Close behind on the scoreboard was Hessey with 17, Travis Kinn (Alvada, Ohio / New Riegel) with 11 and Calver and Tuley both with 10 points. Kinn and Tuley both recorded double-doubles with 12 and 11 rebounds respectively.
 
Heidelberg returns to action on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at home against Defiance College at 7:30 p.m.
 
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