ANGOLA, Indiana -- The Heidelberg University Men's Basketball team opened the 2024-25 season with an 82-78 win over Wabash as part of the Steve Green Classic, hosted by Trine University. The Berg was dialed in from long range, hitting 12-of-16 3-point attempts.   

The Student Princes were led by an 18-point night by Markell Johnson-Nichols -- one of four in double figures for the Student Princes. Graduate student Zane Leitwein added 17 points while newcomers Elijah Harden and Manny Hill finished with 14 and 10 points. 

Heidelberg found themselves down by eight with 8:46 left in the first half, but responded with a 16-0 run. The spurt, which took less than 4:30 to pull off, put the Tricolor ahead 31-23.

Up 38-34 at halftime, HU led by 13 at the midway point of the second half. Later, back-to-back 3-pointers by Riley Gossom and a jumper by Harden gave the Student Princes a 75-55 advantage with 5:58 left. 

As the saying goes, Wabash always fights … and on Friday night, the Little Giants embarked on a 13-0 run in the late stages of the contest. Clinging to a 77-74 lead with under 30 seconds to play, Heidelberg hit five-of-six from the foul line and snuck away with the victory. 

Eric Panning had eight points and 10 rebounds, leading everyone on the glass. Johnson-Nichols had a game-high five assists. 

Heidelberg hasn't shot .750 or better from beyond the arc since at least the 2001-02 season. The last time they were +.700 was a 10-of-14 (.714) performance in a 98-87 win over Wilmington on Dec. 9, 2017.  

The Student Princes return to action on the second day of the Steve Green Classic, squaring off with Mary Hardin-Baylor at 1 p.m. on Saturday.