TIFFIN -- A late surge forced overtime, but the Heidelberg University men's basketball team dropped a heartbreaking 76-73 decision to Capital University on Wednesday.  The Student Princes nearly forced another overtime session, but Dylan Woods 3-pointer at the buzzer drew iron.  

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for Heidelberg, which dropped to 10-12, 8-7 in the OAC.  Capital improved to 12-10, 8-7.  

With three games remaining in the OAC, both Heidelberg and Capital are among teams locked in a five-way tie for third place.  The top four seeds host in the first round of the OAC tournament.  The Student Princes, however, still have to face Mount Union and Marietta -- the top two teams in the newly-released NCAA regional rankings.  

Martone Cole led Heidelberg with 18 points off the bench.  Tamal Watkins had 16 points -- including a remarkable stretch late in regulation.  Emmanuel Perdue also reached double figures with 13 points.  

Seth Hohman had eight points and nine rebounds.  

In the first half, Heidelberg took control with a strong presence in the paint.  Several three-point plays allowed The Berg to build up a lead as big as an eight-point lead.

The Heidelberg momentum began to fade over the final six minutes of the half.  Turnovers began to pile up, which allowed the Crusaders to close the half on a 19-4 push.  Capital led 34-27 at intermission.  
Heidelberg closed to within one at 42-41 with a Martone Cole three-point play with 12:49 left to play.  Over the next four minutes, the Capital advantage remained razor thin, but HU was never able to regain the lead.  

From there, an 8-2 Crusader run gave the visitors some breathing room in the later stages of the contest.  

The Student Princes, though, valiantly clawed their way back into the game.  After a three-point play by Emmanuel Perdue, Tamal Watkins took over.  A 3-pointer with 1:15 left cut the Capital lead down to four.  After a shot-clock violation gave possession back to HU, Watkins drove the lane and hit a layup.  Tyler Schreck momentarily put Capital back up three by splitting a pair at the line with nine seconds left.  

Dylan Woods was fouled bringing the ball up court, then sank both foul shots.  HU quickly fouled, sending Schreck back to the line.  There, he made the first but missed the second.  

Down two and out of timeouts, Watkins raced into the forecourt and drew a foul on the perimeter.  With the game on the line, Watkins calmly knocked down both shots, sending the game into overtime.  

In OT, Capital scored the first five points, taking a 70-65 lead.  Perdue answered with a layup, followed by a three-point play for Watkins, tying the game at 70.  Capital countered with a pair of free throws by Tyler Meister -- to which Heidelberg answered with three free throws by Watkins.  

With The Berg up one, Dylan Dupler put back a missed jumper, giving Cap a 74-73 lead with 41 seconds left.  On the ensuing possession, Watkins was fouled -- but he proved human.  He missed both, and Capital grabbed the rebound.  Meister made both free throws, and the visitors led 76-73 with 15 seconds.  

After another offensive miss, HU was forced to foul again.  With a chance to put the game out of reach, Reed Bradfield missed both shots.  Cole grabbed the loose ball and outlet to Woods.  Woods had a great look at a potential game-tying 3-pointer, but the shot rattled out as the buzzer sounded.  

Schreck led all scorers with 20 points in the winning effort -- one of five in double figures for the Crusaders.  

On Saturday, The Berg travels to Alliance for a game against No. 11 Mount Union.  The men's game will be the second half of a hoops doubleheader.  Tipoff will take place around 3 p.m.