WESTERVILLE - A late lead slipped away from the upset-minded Heidelberg University women's basketball team in a 73-67 loss at Otterbein University.  The Student Princes led by as many as 11 but could not close out the Cardinals.  

Heidelberg was led by a 16-point evening from Marissa Thomas, who shot 10-of-11 from the line.  Lily Sweeney had 13 points and Hallie Rogers had 12.  

Tied at 11 in the final minute of the first quarter, Heidelberg went on a 5-0 run.  Ballard hit a step-back jumper with 20 ticks left, then Lily Sweeney buried a 40-foot triple-hit before the horn sounded.  

The Student Princes (3-19, 2-13 OAC) pushed their lead out to as many as 11 in the second quarter, but the Cardinals stayed in it.  After the hosts got to within six, Taylor Ratliff -- in her return to the lineup -- drilled a 3-pointer that helped HU regain momentum.  Heidelberg led 29-21 at halftime.

A pull-up jumper from Ballard midway through the third helped Heidelberg inflate their lead back out to 11 at 40-29.  Otterbein (16-6, 10-5 OAC)  went on a 9-0 run to get back to within two. The visitors answered with a three-point play from Thomas to halt the streak.  HU led 48-41 after three, bolstered by a step-back 3-pointer in the final seconds by Rogers.  

Heidelberg led by six at 56-50 with 5:50 left in the game, but the Cards would close the contest on a 23-11 run, outsourcing The Berg in the fourth, 32-19.  

The Student Princes shot 47.6% from the floor for the game, but were undone by 26 turnovers.  

Heidelberg will return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Ohio Northern.  Tipoff in Ada is scheduled for 7 p.m.  

Photo by Maddie Sasfy, Otterbein Sports Information