TIFFIN, Ohio – After a slow start to begin the game, the Otterbein University men's basketball team took the reins and defeated Heidelberg University, 81-77, Saturday in Tiffin.

The Cardinals (3-12, 2-6 OAC) fell behind early in the game to the Student Princes (5-10, 1-7 OAC), but were able to seize the lead, 30-29, at 4:39 left in the first half after back-to-back jump shots and two made free throws from freshman forward Grant Fenner. Otterbein led 39-34 at intermission.

Otterbein continued to play well early in the second half before Heidelberg went on a 9-0 run to take a 52-49 lead with 13:42 left in the second half.

After a few lead changes between the teams, Otterbein regained the lead on a jump shot by sophomore guard Jake Bischoff with 5:01 left to go up 68-66. Otterbein would hold on to the lead from that point on.

Freshman guard Jake Phillis scored a career-high 30 points in the Cardinal victory to lead both teams in scoring. Bischoff also scored in double digits for Otterbein, finishing the game with 13 points.

Heidelberg had three players score in double digits, led by guard Keith Mackie with 25 points.

Although the Student Princes edged out the Cardinals in both rebounding and assists, Otterbein had the advantage in shooting, going 50.8 percent from the field as opposed to Heidelberg's 42.2 percent. The Cardinals also finished the game 14-for-19 from the free-throw line.

Otterbein is scheduled to take on John Carroll University Wednesday in the Rike Center at 7:30 p.m. The Cardinals lost both regular-season games to the Blue Streaks last season, but defeated them in the first round of the OAC tournament.