NEW CONCORD, Ohio – The Heidelberg University women's basketball could not hold on to a late lead in an 82-78 loss at Muskingum University on Saturday. The Student Princes held an eight-point advantage with just over four minutes remaining, but the Fighting Muskies whittled away the deficit and sent HU to its fourth straight loss.

Carli Patrick had 16 points and 16 rebounds in the losing effort for Heidelberg, her second straight double-double. Paige Ricketts added 11 points and eight boards.

Three days after falling behind 33-8 at John Carroll on Wednesday, Heidelberg (1-4, 0-2 OAC) stormed out to a 15-4 lead in the first seven minutes of the contest. HU still held a comfortable 10-point lead with under eight minutes remaining in the half before back-to-back 3-pointers for Muskingum (3-4, 1-1 OAC) cut the lead to four.

The teams seesawed back and forth until the Muskies were able to tie the contest with a 3-pointer by Olivia Besancon with 12 seconds left before intermission. Her basket knotted the game at 37.

Muskingum took its first lead of the game on the opening possession of the second half with a layup by Jasmine Goings. The basket ignited a 13-5 Muskie run to open the period, giving the hosts an eight-point lead with less than four minutes off the clock.

An 11-4 run for Heidelberg brought the Tricolor to within one with 13 minutes remaining, but it wasn't until a 3-pointer by Allie Hawkins at 7:41 that Heidelberg would regain the lead. Hawkins' bucket was the fulcrum in an 18-3 'Berg run that put the Student Princes up 74-66 with 4:18 left.

Undaunted, the Muskies rallied back to tie the game with another Besancon 3-pointer with 2:24 left.

With 1:43 to play, Goings connected on another layup to push Muskingum out in front, 78-76. Two free throws by HU's Theresa Jackson retied the game.

In the game's final minute, Mallory Taylor put MU back on top with a layup. After the teams traded misses, Heidelberg called a timeout with 17 seconds left. Out of the break, Jackson couldn't hit on a jumper and MU's Angela Darnley grabbed the board and hit two foul shots to seal the game.

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

Heidelberg finished with five players in double-figures. Jackson tallied 13 off the bench and Hawkins finished with 14 points.

The Muskies connected on 14-of-27 3-pointers (51.9%). The Student Princes only dialed up 4-of-20 from long range (20%).

Heidelberg won the battle on the glass, 40-31.

UP NEXT

Heidelberg travels to Trine University (5-0) for a non-conference battle on Wednesday. The game with the Thunder is slated for a 7 p.m. start.