'Berg Silenced Down the Stretch in OAC Setback

The Heidelberg College men’s basketball team suffered a 72-59 setback to Mount Union College in an Ohio Athletic Conference game today, December 13, in Seiberling Gymnasium, on the campus of Heidelberg. The Purple Raiders extend its overall record to 6-1 and its league mark evens at 1-1 with the win, while the Berg stands at 4-3 overall and 1-1 against conference opponents.
 
Heidelberg and Mount Union faced the third tie of the second half, 54-54, with 4:40 to paly in the contest. The Purple Raiders went on to outscore the Berg 18-5 en route to the eventual win. Over the final stretch of the game, Heidelberg connected on just one field goal and added three points from the charity stripe.
 
The Berg was forced to stop the clock as time slowly expired. Mount Union converted on 9-of-10 free throws over the final 3:57 of the contest for the win.
 
The second half showing by the Berg was an exact opposite of the first half of action. Mount Union scored first in the ballgame, but Kyle Tuley (Berea, Ohio / Berea) answered with two-straight baskets to give the Berg the lead. Heidelberg extended its first half lead to as many as 14 points, 33-19, following a fast break lay up by Andy Emrhein (Seven Hills, Ohio / Padua Franciscan) set up by Josh Calver (Shelby, Ohio / Shelby).
 
For the game, Heidelberg shot 35.8 percent (19-of-53) from the field compared to a 40.7 clip (22-of-54) by the Purple Raiders. Mount Union held a 37-34 advantage on the boards.
 
Travis Kinn (Alvada, Ohio / New Riegel) led three players in double figures for the Berg with 12 points and eight rebounds. Kinn also added two blocks on the day. Tuley chipped in with 11 points and six rebounds, while Jim Smalley (Middleburg Heights, Ohio / Midpark) finished with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists. Calver hauled in six rebounds and dropped in seven points as did Jake Hessey (Crestline, Ohio / Colonel Crawford).
 
Chris Switzer led Mount Union with a game-high 25 points, while Dave Pellerite had 16. Jay Mathis recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Coming off the bench to score 14 points was Ben Hodkinson.
 
Heidelberg, under the guidance of first-year head coach Anthony Gholson, returns to action on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at Ohio Northern University. Tip-off with the Polar Bears is slated for 7:30 p.m.