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WESTERVILLE, Ohio – The Otterbein University women's basketball team dropped its season finale Saturday afternoon in the Rike Center, nearly mounting a comeback but ultimately falling 76-71 to visiting Heidelberg University.

Heidelberg (10-15, 8-10 OAC) came out firing to begin the game, making three early attempts from behind the arc and eventually opening a 21-6 lead by the 12:31 mark of the first half.

The Student Princes later had the advantage up to 21 points, but a 16-4 scoring run from the Cardinals brought the lead back down to single digits, 42-33, just prior to halftime. Heidelberg closed the first half with yet another three-pointer, entering the break having made 8 of 10 from long distance over the opening 20 minutes.

Otterbein faced a 16-point deficit four minutes into the second frame but slowly began chipping away, getting to within four, 60-56, after a pair of Abby Miduri free throws with 6:05 remaining. Heidelberg promptly answered, embarking on a quick 13-3 run to push its lead back to double digits and put the Cardinals in a deep hole.

Otterbein battled until the final buzzer, scoring 12 points in the final two minutes before time eventually ran out.

Amariah Huck led the Cardinals with 14 point while Miduri finished with 10 of her own. Senior Chelsea Reed, playing in her final game as Cardinal, went for nine points and six assists. She ends her career with 451 total assists, good enough to rank fourth in school history.

Four players made it into double figures for Heidelberg, paced by 12 from both Paige Ricketts and Theresa Jackson. Heidelberg shot 52 percent for the game compared to just 37 percent on the Otterbein side.

Prior to the game, Reed and fellow seniors Mary Corbett and Madi Miller were recognized for their contributions to the program.