TIFFIN -- In what has been a similar plot throughout the season, the Heidelberg University men's basketball team was unable to overcome a large deficit despite a frantic rally in the second half.  Trine University snuck away with a 69-66 victory.  

Heidelberg slipped to 2-7 on the season -- with five losses of four points or fewer.  Trine got back to .500, now with a 5-5 record.  

Tamal Watkins had a game-high 18 points and added five rebounds, four steals and three assists.  Dylan Woods added 11 points. 

Birthday boy Prince Benson added 10 points and seven boards.

The Thunder hit a number of tough, contested shots in the opening half.  Once trailing by five, Trine led by as many as 14.  Shooting 57.1% from the floor and 53.8% from beyond the arc, Trine held a 41-27 lead.  

Ahead by four points, at 14-10, the Student Princes entered a cold spell that saw they without a field goal for 7:48 of the first half. A mere two free throws off from Tamal Watkins were the Berg's only scoring over the middle part of the half, before a jumper from Phariz Watkins ended the field goal drought. 

In the second half, The Berg picked it up, and outscored Trine 36-25. Converting 11 field goals and shooting 11-for-14 from the charity stripe allowed the Student Princes an edge back into the game. Meanwhile, Trine struggled to hit the same type of difficult shots they made in the first half.

With 14:39 left on the clock, Heidelberg was staring at a 21-point deficit. From there, HU scored the next 12 points in just over three minutes of action and got to within nine before Trine made another basket. 

From there, The Berg kept chipping away and got as close as two points on a made 3-pointer from Tamal Watkins with 5:28 left. There, Trine kept Heidelberg at arm's length for the remainder of regulation, but not without drama. 

After forcing a crucial turnover with seven seconds left, the Student Princes got the ball back with a chance to tie. The Thunder fouled Tamal Watkins forcing him to the stripe for two free throws, rather than give him a shot at a 3-pointer. Watkins calmly converted both freebies, but in desperation, HU sent the Thunder to the line for two of their own, leading to the final score, 66-63. 

Trine was led by a 14-point effort from Langston Johnson.

Heidelberg won the rebounding battle 37-27

The Student Princes will enjoy the Christmas holidays before returning to Seiberling Gymnasium on December 30 for a 5 p.m. tipoff against Defiance College.  The start time was originally scheduled for 7:30 p.m., but was adjusted for the holidays.