University Heights, Ohio – February 27, 2010 – Time was not on the Heidelberg University men’s basketball team’s side in the title game of the 2010 Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament, suffering an 82-69 setback to no. 2 seeded Wilmington College at the DeCarlo Varsity Center on the campus of John Carroll University in University Heights, Ohio.
Today’s appearance in the championship game marked the seventh time that the Berg has vied for tournament title, including the second appearance in three years. Aiding the Berg in its two trips over the last three years has been a trio of seniors including Josh Calver (Shelby, Ohio / Shelby), Travis Kinn (Alvada, Ohio / New Riegel) and Jim Smalley (Middleburg Heights, Ohio / Midpark).
The year closes out for the Berg with an overall record of 15-13, while Wilmington improves to 21-7 and earned the OAC’s automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Championships.
The first half featured a back and forth battle with Heidelberg building a four-point advantage on two occasions.
As the half played out, Adrian Casey Jr. (Lorain, Ohio / Admiral King) hit two free throws to put the Berg on top 32-31, with 3:17 on the clock. Wilmington answered with a 6-0 run to take the largest lead of the half be either team at five points, 37-32, with under two minutes on the clock.
Heidelberg responded with two-straight baskets, but a jumper at the buzzer gave Wilmington a 39-36 advantage at the intermission.
Wilmington extended its lead to 10 points, 63-53, just under the halfway point of the second half. Heidelberg did not falter and Nate Davis (Dayton, Ohio / Stivers) had a layup on the opposite end of the floor to ignite a 7-0 run to pull the Berg within three-points, 63-60, with 7:35 on the clock.
The Quakers snapped Heidelberg’s run with a free throw to keep the Berg at bay. Calver hit one from long range to keep the Berg within six points, 74-68, with 1:55 left in the contest. As time was winding down, the Berg was forced to foul leading to an eventual 82-69 setback.
Calver led four in double figures with 17 points, including three from long range. For his efforts during the tournament he earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team.
Backing Calver was Davis with 12 points and seven rebounds. Kinn and Smalley closed out those in double figures with 10 points apiece. Leading the way on the glass was Dane Givner (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Harvest Preparatory) with eight boards.