TIFFIN – Sophomore Deonte Holder asked for the ball. Head coach Andy Bucheit approved. Heidelberg won.

Bucheit's confidence in Holder helped Heidelberg University men's basketball pick up their first OAC win of the season, a 78-75 triumph over Ohio Northern.

Down a point with the ball and six seconds remaining, Bucheit called timeout. In the huddle, a play was drawn up to get the ball to senior Keith Mackie – but Holder wanted it.

"I've got all the confidence in the world in our guys," said Bucheit. "So when Deonte stepped up and asked for the ball, we made the change."

Holder inbounded the ball to Jackson Blue, who quickly touched it back to Holder. From near midcourt, the Columbus native cut to the right, drove toward the basket, avoided three Polar Bear defenders and scooped up a shot with his right hand. Off the glass, the ball rolled around the rim and fell in.

Seiberling Gymnasium erupted.

"Once I cut to the basket, it's hard to stop me," Holder said, confidently.  

[Watch Holder's layup]

After the ONU inbound attempt deflected off of the ceiling, Mackie was fouled. He sank both free throws to seal the win.

Mike Petrie tied a career high with 29 points, including six 3-pointers. The senior was a perfect 9-of-9 from the free throw line.

Mackie finished with 17 points and Holder had 13 points.

Neither team led by more than nine points in the contest. Ohio Northern (7-7, 3-4 OAC) took their first lead of the second half on Lucas Pennington's second 3-pointer in the final 90 seconds. Pennington's shot capped an 8-0 run.

The resilient Student Princes did not quit.

"I saw a change in the demeanor of our guys," said Bucheit. "Instead of a deer-in-the-headlights look, they nodded and said 'we got this."

After a string of tough-luck losses in OAC play, Heidelberg (5-9, 1-6 OAC) was ecstatic to pick up the victory and snap a four-game skid.

"We've lost so many close ones," said Petrie. "This one is very satisfying. We love it."

The Student Princes return to Seiberling Gymnasium on Saturday. Tipoff with Otterbein is scheduled for 3 p.m.