Heidelberg Edged by Purple Raiders in OT
The Heidelberg College women’s basketball team faced an all-to familiar scenario today when it entertained Ohio Athletic Conference foe Mount Union College. The Berg battled to a 52-52 tie through 40 minutes of play, but was outscored 16-10 in the overtime period and suffered a 68-62 overtime loss. The overtime game was the fifth one in the last seven home OAC contests for the Berg dating back to a season ago. Unfortunately, the Berg is just 1-4 in extra session games. Overall the setback drops Heidelberg to 2-4 on the year and 0-3 in league action, while Mount Union improves to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the OAC.
The game was tied at 41-41 with 6:15 to play in regulation before two Hollie Knott (Concord, Ohio / Riverside) free throws and a Brittany Skolnicki (Lorain, Ohio / Clearview) jumper pushed Heidelberg on top 45-41 with just over three minutes remaining. Mount Union battled back to pull within one point, 47-46, before Maureen Hunter (Toledo, Ohio / Notre Dame) found Amanda Campbell (Pataskala, Ohio / Watkins Memorial) beyond the arc with 36 seconds on the clock. Skolnicki added two late free throws, but back-to-back three points from the Purple Raiders Katie Crider forced overtime.
Heidelberg managed just two field goals in the overtime period, with the later at the buzzer, to go along with six points from the charity stripe, compared to seven points from the field for Mount Union. Heidelberg fouled late in the contest and Mount Union hit 8-of-9 free throws in the final minute to push the score to 68-62.
The first half featured a slow start for both teams, but once the scoreboard reached 17:23, a stretch of nine lead changes and four ties overcame the OAC contest. Heidelberg’s Stacey Richard (Galloway, Ohio / Central Crossing) knotted the game at 20-20 with a three-pointer with 3:26 to play in the half, but back-to-back from long range by Mount Union outlasted a jumper apiece from Knott and Jessica Jennette (LaRue, Ohio / Elgin) to give the Purple Raiders a 25-24 lead at the intermission.
Skolnicki led all scorers with 16 points, while Campbell finished with a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Campbell also dished out four assists to go along with two steals and a block. Knott came off the bench and added eight points and three rebounds.
Alicia Williams led Mount Union with 14 points and 17 rebounds, while Ellie Geiger also contributed 14 points.
Heidelberg returns to action against Marietta College Dec. 14. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.