WESTERVILLE -- Down in Franklin County for the second time this week, the Heidelberg University men's basketball team lost its second straight contest, falling to Otterbein.  The Cardinals surged ahead late in the second half and won, 88-78.  

Emmanuel Perdue had a team-high 18 points for the Student Princes.  Seth Hohman had 17 off the bench and Isaiah Young added 15 points.  

The entertaining first half featured nine lead changes, with each team going on a 10-0 run.  Heidelberg's run started with a triple-hit by Jacob Logsdon and ended with a 31-25 edge.  Moments later, it was Otterbein's turn for their extended run.  Isaiah Young's layup with 1:19 snapped the 'Berg dry spell.  The Cardinals led 37-35 at the half.  

The game continued to seesaw throughout the second half, with neither side able to snare the momentum.  Heidelberg (16-5, 11-4) took a 56-54 lead on a 3-pointer by Young with 11:03 remaining.  From there, Otterbein went on another 10-0 run, ending in a desperation 3-pointer to beat the shot clock by Brennan Rains.  

Down 64-56, Heidelberg used an 8-2 run to get back to within two at 66-64.  Dallas Patrick answered with a three-point play and the Cardinals took control for good.  The hosts would extend their lead to as many as 12.  

Otterbein shot 55.8% from the floor while HU only shot 42%.  

Heidelberg will look to regroup with two home games in the final week of the season.  The Berg welcomes Ohio Northern on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. contest.  

Photo courtesy of Maddie Sasfy