DELAWARE, Ohio – Despite a late surge, the Heidelberg University women's basketball team was unable to catch up to host Ohio Wesleyan University on Sunday.  Heidelberg fell, 79-71, in the opening game of the Hopes for Hope Classic.  

The Student Princes dropped to 3-6 on the season while OWU improved to 7-4.
 
Brooke Beamer and Brittanie Ulmer each had 16 points to lead The Berg.  Maddy Crawford tallied 12 points and 11 boards -- her fifth double-double of the season and 30th of her career.   

Five Heidelberg turnovers in the first quarter proved costly as the Battling Bishops were able to build a 21-13 lead at the first break.  In the second quarter, open looks offensively continually bounced in and out for the Student Princes.  Ohio Wesleyan, meanwhile, rattled home a number of jumpers and lead by as many as 19 in the second.  The hosts led 41-23 at halftime.  

With an offensive spark provided by reserve center Liz Vincent, Heidelberg outscored OWU 16-13 in the third quarter and trailed 54-39 at the start of the final stanza.

Up 20 with 3:28 to play, the hosts seemed content with cruising to victory.  The Student Princes, however, closed the game on a spirited 16-4 run, getting as close as six points.  HU scored 32 points in the quarter.  
The Battling Bishops were led by a 23-point game by Claire Sterling.  OWU had four in double figures.  

Vincent had nine points in 10 minutes of action.   

Heidelberg wraps up the two-day Hoops for Hope / Bishops Classic with a Monday matinee.  The Student Princes face Manchester University at 1 p.m.