TIFFIN -- On an emotional Senior & Family Night inside Seiberling Gymnasium, the Heidelberg University women's basketball dropped a heartbreaking 55-52 decision to the visiting Ohio Northern University Polar Bears on Wednesday evening. 

With the loss, The Berg falls to 8-16 on the season and 4-13 in conference play, while ONU improves to 18-6, 12-5 record on the year. 

Heidelberg was led in nearly every statistical category by senior Maddy Crawford as the resilient post player compiled a stat line of 13 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and three blocks. Her double-double marked the 12th of season and 36th of her career. 

Brooke Beamer led the team with 14 points and three assists. Alli Adelsperger managed 12 points off the bench. Leah Bouillon also had three assists for HU. 

The game didn't see it's first field goal until after 5:03 of play had elapsed. Brittanie Ulmer worked around the wing before creating space and knocking down a 3-pointer, bumping Heidelberg out to a 3-1 lead. A minute later, a layup from Adelsperger extended the early lead for HU. 

Ohio Northern's first field goal of the game did not come until 2:58 remaining in the first quarter -- a 3-pointer from Brynn Serbin. Unfortunately for the Student Princes, the made bucket breathed life into the Polar Bear offense, as ONU finished the quarter on an 11-2 run, making 4-of-7 of their shot attempts in the final three minutes. 

In all, the first quarter did not bode well for either team offensively as Heidelberg managed to shoot just 18% from the floor, while Northern shot a slightly better 25%. 

A 11-2 run at the start of the second got Heidelberg right back into the game, and swung scoreline in their favor at 18-14. 

A quick six points for ONU erased the deficit, but kicked off an exciting conclusion to the half. A late surge for Heidelberg was kickstarted on a high-pressure 3-pointer from Brooke Beamer who knocked down the shot as the shot clock expired with 3:22 remaining in the half. An Adelsperger layup, followed by a floater from Sadie Chaney drove HU back in the lead at 25-22, before a late ONU layup brought the halftime score to 25-24. 

The Student Princes got out of the gates quickly after a brief opportunity to recognize their families at halftime, as they scored eight points in just 3:03 of play. Maddy Crawford led the way with four points across the Heidelberg flurry. 

Northern managed to tick away at the 'Berg lead by creating opportunities to get to the free throw line. Nine made free throws down the stretch enabled the Polar Bears to erase what had been an eight-point deficit and take a 42-41 lead into the fourth quarter. 

A 10-5 start across the first 6:15 of the fourth pushed ONU ahead by six with 3:45 remaining in the game. When a layup from Abby Weeks looked to push the ONU lead out to eight points, Alli Adelsperger quickly replied as she knocked down a 3-pointer off a feed from Brooke Beamer on Heidelberg's next possession. 

On their next possession, Adelsperger found herself open in the corner and once again was successful from beyond the arc, closing the gap to just two points with 1:15 to go. This time, Leah Bouillon turned provider to Adelsperger. 

Defensively, the Student Princes created an opportunity for themselves, forcing the Polar Bears into two missed shots before Bouillon secured the loose ball. 

After a timeout, Beamer's driving jumper rimmed out, before the Student Princes were forced to foul to stop the clock. A quick three fouls sent ONU to the line ahead by two with 9.4 seconds remaining. There, Lexi Jacobs missed both attempts, and gave the ball back to HU. 

After head coach Morgan Harrigan called a timeout, ONU resorted to a disruptive defensive approach and eventually worked a turnover. Another HU foul sent the Polar Bears to the line where Abby Weeks split her attempts. 

With another chance to inbound with 3.9 seconds left on the clock, the Student Princes got an opportunity to tie, but Brittanie Ulmer's 3-point attempt was blocked, and the Polar Bears took the 55-52 win. 

Ohio Northern was paced by a pair of 12-point scorers in Emily Mescher and Abby Weeks. 

All-in-all, Heidelberg shot a slightly better 36% from the floor and 27% from beyond the arc, while ONU managed a 32% shooting average and just 16% from distance. One of the key advantages the Polar Bears held onto at the end of the day was 14 made free throws, while Heidelberg managed just five successful freebies. 

The Student Princes will conclude their 2019-20 season on Saturday with a road contest at Marietta College. Tip off along the Ohio River is scheduled for 3 p.m.