UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Heidelberg University men's basketball team dropped their first game of the new year, falling to the No. 14 John Carroll Blue Streaks, 81-76. Previously undefeated in OAC league play -- boasting a 4-0 record -- the Student Princes slipped to 9-3 overall (4-1 OAC). 

With a driving layup midway through the first half, Emmanuel Perdue became the 34th member of Heidelberg's 1000-point club.   

Perdue finished with 11 points, one of five in double figures for Heidelberg.  Eric Panning, Jashun Cobb, and Jacob Logsdon added 11 of their own. Seth Hohman had 10.

The highly-anticipated matchup was closely contested throughout, with six ties and seven lead changes early in the first half. The Berg was able to withstand the offensive onslaught by guard Luke Frazier who netted 23 of his 26 total points in the first half, shooting a stellar 9-of-13 from the field. 

The game was a clash of paces, as The Berg continued to get out on the fast break in the first half. Their relentlessness paid dividends on the boards as they dominated inside, grabbing 19 offensive boards and scoring 18 second-chance points.

One of the better 3-point shooting teams in the conference, The Berg struggled from deep, going 6-23 from beyond the arc. The Blue Streaks took advantage of some long rebounds which yielded several runout opportunities, resulting in 13 fast-break points. Sophomore point guard Luke Chicone was at the forefront of this attack, scoring 20 points and dishing out seven assists. 

Turnovers and fouls plagued Heidelberg, which gave away 18 turnovers and sent the Blue Streaks to the line 27 times. 

After a 3-pointer by Eric Panning tied the game at 39 early in the second half, JCU rebuilt their advantage to as many as nine.  HU stayed within striking distance but was unable to come up with enough stops defensively.  

John Carroll connected on their final 10 free throws, countering back-to-back 3-pointers by Logsdon in the final minute of action. For the game, JCU shot 81.5% from the charity stripe while Heidelberg -- which entered as the OAC's top shooters from the line -- was 10-for-17.

Heidelberg enjoyed a 44-29 edge on the glass.  

The Berg will be back in action on Saturday as they travel to Westerville to take on the Otterbein Cardinals. The men's game is slated for a 5 p.m. tip to accommodate a track meet, with the women's game to follow.