TIFFIN – A total team effort helped the Heidelberg University Women's basketball team upset Muskingum University on Saturday, 69-61. The victory snapped a winless streak that dated back to November.

Heidelberg (4-17, 1-13 OAC) had four finish in double figures, led by a 16-point, nine-rebound effort from Morgan Altenburger. Chloe Gilbert returned to the lineup with 14 points. Ashley Ballard and Amari Slaughter each dropped 10 points. 
  
Avenging a 21-point first-quarter deficit in their first Musky matchup, Heidelberg took a 13-10 lead on their home court at the end of the period. Amari Slaughter started things out with a deep three. Ashley Ballard added four with moves in the paint. 

A 10-5 run to start the quarter helped Heidelberg lead by as many as 12 (23-15). Slaughter entertained the crowd as she contributed seven of the team's 17, including a steal which she turned into a 3-pointer with 33 seconds left. HU enjoyed a 30-28 advantage at the half – their first halftime lead since Jan. 10.

Things remained close in the third, as neither team was able to score more than four in a row. The posts switched things up to take control, as Altenburger found 10 and Cheyanne Bean posted four. Heidelberg edged out Muskingum in the quarter, 14-13, to carry on a 44-41 lead. 

Head Coach Rachel Mease continued to push the pace, as they opened with a 15-6 run that carried through the final three minutes. An electric Elisha Carter 3-pointer at 5:36 sparked even more momentum, as Gilbert followed with another at 2:30, giving way for a 12-point lead. 

The game was out of reach for the guests as they desperately fouled, sending 'Berg to the line for eight more in the last minute of play. One final Muskie basket from deep concluded the monumental 69-61 Heidelberg victory. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: 
Heidelberg committed a mere seven turnovers in the game -- their fewest in a game since committing six in a 69-58 win at Oberlin on Jan. 21, 2008 … The turnover differential led to a 17-6 'Berg advantage in points off miscues … Heidelberg enjoyed a 22-9 advantage in points off the bench … HU outrebounded the Muskies 43-38 …  Heidelberg was 8-for-12 from the line in the last 90 seconds … The conference win was HU's first since beating Capital on Jan. 12, 2022, 69-60.

UP NEXT:
The Heidelberg women's basketball team will hit the road for two games next week before finishing their season's final week at home. On Wednesday, Feb. 10, they travel to Capital for a 7 p.m. game against the Comets (15-6, 10-4 OAC).