TIFFIN - The Heidelberg University Men's basketball team dropped a heavyweight battle with the No.3 team in the country, John Carroll, 76-69. The lead changed hands 13 times, with neither team amassing a double-digit lead.

Zane Leitwein tallied his second career double-double in the loss, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

Heidelberg slipped to 11-7 on the season, 7-4 in the OAC. The Blue Streaks remained unbeaten in OAC play, improving to 17-1 and 11-0. 

Carter Pleiman got HU on the board first taking an inbound pass from Tre Watkins to take the early 2-0 lead. The home team stretched their lead to 6-2 after Eric Panning knocked down a pair of free throws. Another Pleiman layup forced the Blue Streaks into their first timeout as they saw an early 8-3 deficit. 

The visitors fought back from their early hole and tied it up 10-10 after a Henry Raynor hoop and harm. Watkins completed a three point play of his own on the other end and Zachary Chatmon neary did after missing the free throw to make the score 14-12.

After some back and forth from each side, HU embarked on a 10-0 run that saw the home team knock down three shots from deep to help aid in the 28-20 advantage. John Carroll answered with a 9-3 run to cut their deficit to just two with 5:24 to play in the first half.

Chatmon scored five quick points after hitting a three and a driving layup to make the score 40-35. The Blue Streaks were able to tie it up at 40-40 going into the break after a costly turnover from Heidelberg.

Both teams started the second half slow, but a Watkins shot from deep in Seiberling Gymnasium gave the Student Princes the one point lead, 45-44. John Carroll surged back taking a four point lead following a Jerry Higgins jumper. 

HU was not down long and tied it up at 49-49 after Jashun Cobb gathered an offensive rebound and put back following a Leitwein fast-break miss. Chatmon knocked down a jumper the next time down forcing the Blue Streaks to take a timeout. 

After the timeout, John Carroll went on an 8-2 run to take back the lead 57-53. Undeterred, HU erased the four point deficit after a Watkins layup notching it at 57-57. The Visitors took back the lead 61-57, but back-to-back Leitwein shots from behind the arc forced JCU into a timeout with HU leading 63-61 with 7:14 to play and sent the Seiberling Gymnasium crowd into a frenzy. 

With under five minutes to go in the game, Heidelberg was clinging to a 67-65 lead. But a Higgins three put the visitors back in front, 68-67. Following a Berg turnover, JCU capitalized with a layup forcing The Berg into a timeout. 

Unfortunately, Heidelberg's offense went cold down the stretch. The Student Princes were held scoreless for the final 2:50. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Leitwein scored a season-high 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting and also added 10 rebounds … Watkins and Chatmon each added 11 in the loss … John Carroll held a 40-32 edge in points in the paint … Heidelberg has dropped four in a row to JCU.

UP NEXT
Heidelberg will host Otterbein University on Saturday for a 1 p.m. tip.