WESTERVILLE, Ohio - After he watched his team's 11 point lead evaporate down to two late in the game, Heidelberg University freshman guard Ishaam Smith Jr. (Richmond Heights) had seen enough.
Smith connected on a pair of 3-pointers in the final three minutes of the game, one from each wing, to help propel the Student Princes to a 70-63 win at the Rike Center on Saturday.
Four Student Princes finished in double figures for coach Anthony Gholson. The win for Heidelberg (9-6, 4-4 OAC) is their fourth in a row.
Heidelberg and Otterbein (5-10, 2-6 OAC) battled back and forth throughout much of the first half. A 3-pointer by Mike Petrie (Columbus/Beechcroft) in the waning seconds of the period gave the Student Princes a seven point advantage at intermission.
The 'Berg, vaulted by four steals, extended their lead to 13 points early in the second half.
Late in the game, the Cardinals ratcheted up their defensive intensity and forced Heidelberg into several misses. A 3-pointer by Jake Bischoff and a layup by Andy Yazrombek pulled Otterbein to within two with 2:30 to play.
That's when Smith took over.
The freshman sandwiched his 3-pointers around two free throws, scoring eight straight for Heidelberg. He finished with ten points.
After Nate Davis (Dayton/Stivers) blocked a shot on a drive to the basket by Bischoff, Dane Givner (Pittsburgh, PA/Harvest Prep) iced the game with two free throws.
Givner finished with a team-high 16 points. Davis had three blocks and six rebounds to lead Heidelberg.
Quinitin Aden Jr. (Canal Winchester/Harvest Prep) added ten points and four steals. Doug Waldmannstetter (Oregon/Clay) had 11 points off the bench.
Otterbein's Zach Bakenhaster led all scorers with 18 points in the loss.
The Student Princes return home to face Baldwin Wallace on Wednesday night. Game time is slated for 7:30 p.m.