TIFFIN, Ohio -- With a score of 52-35 heading into the final quarter of play, the Heidelberg University women's basketball team needed a miracle. And, playing in front of their own fans for the first time, they almost got one.

The Student Princes outscored Wilmington College 27-12 in the final 10 minutes -- but came tantalizingly close -- and lost by a heart-breaking two points at the final buzzer. 

Heidelberg finished the regular season 1-11, while the Quakers improved to 6-6.  The Student Princes will travel to Ohio Northern on Monday in the opening round of the 10-team Ohio Athletic Conference tournament. 

Brooke Beamer came on strong late, scoring 14 of her team-high 27 points in the fourth quarter.  She is sitting on 999 career points.  

Bailey Walter recorded her second consecutive double-double with 15 points and a career-high 19 rebounds. Hannah Kilps hit double figures with 10 points on her senior night -- with two big 3-pointers in the second half. 

Prior to the contest, Heidelberg honored its seniors -- including student athletic-trainer Jacob Rings, managers Rachel Morrison and Ally Hart-Nichols, and players Kirsten Kochel, Lauryn VanHoose, Mattie Overmyer, Hannah Kilps, Brooke Beamer and Sadie Chaney.

The Student Princes started the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer from Kilps to kick start an 11-3 run in the opening four minutes of the quarter. Beamer scored four points during the run and scored on three straight possessions for the Student Princes following the stretch. Heidelberg trailed 55-46 with 6:20 remaining on the clock.

A 12-1 margin for Heidelberg over the next 3:28 tied the game at 58 with 1:58 remaining in the contest. Beamer continued to lead The 'Berg's offense with six points. Seemingly gassed, Wilmington had three turnovers and shot 4-22 from the floor in the fourth

A free throw from Kennedy Lewis gave Wilmington a one-point lead with 1:37 remaining. 

On the following possession, Beamer hit a long-distance jumper to give the lead to Heidelberg with 1:30 remaining on the clock -- their first lead since it was 4-2 in the first quarter.

McKayla Binkley, who finished with a career-high 34 points, scored on a third-chance layup to take the lead back for Wilmington at 61-60 with 56 seconds left.  The possession burned more than 30 seconds off the clock for the visiting squad. 

On Heidelberg's next possession, a steal from Zahrya Bailey aided by Haley Cook gave Bailey a fast break down to Heidelberg's net. Bailey missed the shot but was fouled on the rebound. She made one of her free throws, giving Wilmington a 62-60 lead with 48 seconds remaining. 

Collecting the rebound from the missed free throw, Beamer stormed down the court and hit a pull-up jump shot off the glass.  The sprint-and-score took a mere six seconds off the clock and tied the game with 42 seconds remaining. 

A turnover from Wilmington gave the Student Princes a shot at victory. With 40 seconds remaining, Heidelberg gained possession in the offensive half. The Student Princes possessed the ball, leading to a missed jump shot from Beamer on the left side. 

Wilmington returned with a layup from Binkley layup giving the Quakers a 64-62 lead with five seconds remaining. 

Heidelberg advanced the ball with a timeout and on the inbound, Kilps missed a highly-contested jump shot from the left side of the lane. A travelling call on the rebound gave Heidelberg possession with two seconds remaining in the contest. 

The inbound to Mills gave Heidelberg a tough shot as time expired which did not fall for the Student Princes. The result was a devastating loss after nearly completing a 17-point comeback on senior night.

"I am so proud of the heart and hustle we showed in the second half," said first-year Head Coach Rachel Ferri. "That type of battle is a great tribute to our seniors on their last home game."

After being tied at 13 following the first quarter, Wilmington used a stout defense and the lights out shooting from Binkley amass their lead

Walter's 19 rebounds -- nine of which came on the offensive glass -- were the most by a Student Prince since Maddy Crawford's 19-board performance against Manchester in December of 2019. Her 15 points off the bench helped propel HU to a 24-7 cushion in scoring from reserves. 

Tipoff in Ada on Monday is slated for 7 p.m.