Box Score

TIFFIN, OHIO – The Otterbein University men’s basketball team (6-8, 2-5 OAC) suffered a 65-59 setback in league action Wednesday evening against Heidelberg University (7-7, 5-2 OAC) in Seiberling Gymnasium.

The Cardinals held a 10-4 lead after the opening five minutes, and extended its advantage to 29-20 late in the first half before going into halftime ahead 32-27.

Otterbein was able to keep its cushion at six after playing the first five minutes of the second half, but Heidelberg clawed back to tied the game at 50-50 before taking its first lead of the contest (52-50) with 7:41 showing on the game clock.

The Student Princes sustained the momentum to go ahead 58-52 with five minutes and change left, but Otterbein stayed put and closed to within three, at 62-59, with 1:39 to play after a layup from sophomore Zach Bakenhaster.

However, Heidelberg’s Nate Davis responded with a tip-dunk off a missed three-pointer on the ensuing Heidelberg possession, and the hosts would eventually preserve the victory.

Both teams combined to shoot just 7-of-24 from beyond the arc and 15-of-26 from the free-throw line. Otterbein won the rebounding battle 38-30, but turned the ball over 16 times compared to just ten for Heidelberg.

Otterbein was led once again by junior Chris Davis, who recorded his ninth-straight double-double with game-highs of 15 points and 14 rebounds.

Bakenhaster and freshman Max Van Meter finished with 13 and 11 points, respectively, while freshman Matt McCollister chipped in eight points and four assists in his second start of the season.

Darion Capers and Dane Givener led Heidelberg with 13 points each.

The team returns home to continue OAC action Saturday evening, hosting Wilmington at 7 p.m.