Ada, Ohio – February 22, 2011 – Sophomore Dane Givner (Pittsburgh, Pa. / Harvest Preparatory) led four in double figures with a season-high of 26 points as the no. 5 seed Heidelberg University men’s basketball team defeats no. 4 seed Ohio Northern University in the 2011 Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Quarterfinal match with a score of 80-77 in double overtime.
Heidelberg, under the guidance of third-year head coach Anthony Gholson, improves to 11-14 on the year and will travel to the no. 1 seeded Marietta College on Thursday (Feb. 24) for a semifinal match-up.
“It took 18 players, three coaches, and two trainers to get it done today,” said Gholson. “We worked hard for 50 minutes and when you focus, fight, and finish you can be successful."
The Polar Bears finished its 2010-11 season at 13-12 overall and 10-8 in conference play.
In the first half, junior Darion Capers (Dayton, Ohio / Trotwood-Madison) gave the Berg an 11-5 lead at the 13:44 minute mark after converting on a three point play. After five ties and two lead changes, ONU would rally back and would edge the ‘Berg’s lead down to 28-26 at half.
After intermission, the Berg mustered up a 13-3 run topped off by senior Kyle Tuley (Berea, Ohio / Berea) making a jumper and would take its highest lead of the game with the score of 41-31. The Polar Bears followed with a 15-5 run to knot things up at 46-46 with 9:42 left in regulation.
Down by four points with just under a minute remaining, Heidelberg stepped up and with a big shot by sophomore Nate Davis (Dayton, Ohio / Stivers) and two clutch free throws off the hands of Tuley, the game was sent overtime with the score 65-65.
In two overtimes, Givner took over the game and scored 12 of the Berg’s 15 points including four late free throws to seal the first round win of the conference tournament for Heidelberg.
Following Givner was Tuley with 14 points. Rounding out the scorers with double digits was Capers and freshman Wes Paramore (Painesville, Ohio / Harvey) with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Givner led on the glass with nine boards followed by Davis with eight. Chipping in with five boards apiece was Capers and freshman Victor Fortkamp (Saint Henry, Ohio / Saint Henry). Davis led the defense with a game-high five blocks.
For Ohio Northern, Scott Schnelle led three in double figures with 18 points. Branden Rushton and Joe Staley backed up with 16 and 12 points, respectively.