UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS -- Despite allowing a buzzer-beating 3-pointer that sent the game into overtime, the Heidelberg University men's basketball team remained focused -- picking up a crucial 85-83 win at John Carroll University.  The Blue Streaks had a good look to tie the game in overtime, but a jumper in the paint drew back iron.   

Heidelberg improved to 9-11 overall, 7-6 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.  John Carroll dipped to 13-7, 6-7.  

Dylan Woods scored a game-high 25 points with five 3-pointers, including two in the final minute of regulation.  Tamal Watkins added 19 points, including two triples in the final stages of overtime.  Josh Dixon was the other Student Prince in double figures, finishing with 14 points.  

Bailey Croft had eight boards for the Student Princes, who were out-rebounded, 47-35.  

After just 5:36 of the first half had elapsed, Heidelberg found themselves behind by just one after a pair of successful free throws off the hands of Emmanuel Perdue. From there, however, JCU embarked on a 12-6 run before a layup from Martone Cole sparked a bit of a momentum swing. 

Cole's bucket was followed up by a jumper from Dylan Woods and two layups from Tamal Watkins and Logan West-Holmes, bringing the score back to within one. After West-Holmes blocked a layup attempt from Jimmy Berger on the other end of the floor, Woods knocked down a 3-pointer that gave Heidelberg their first lead of the game with 3:55 remaining in the half. 

Five points from Connor Fitzgerald, sandwiched around a three from Ryan Berger pushed John Carroll back into the lead at 35-31. However, a steal from Seth Hohman set up a 3-pointer by Curt Jacobs just before the halftime buzzer, bringing the game back to just one point once again.

Out of the half, HU found themselves behind 41-34 after just 28 seconds, forcing a timeout by head coach Andy Bucheit. After the brief respite, Woods kickstarted a brief run for the Student Princes with a good jumper. Josh Dixon then bookended a dunk from Martone Cole with a layup and 3-pointer to give Heidelberg a brief 43-41 lead. 

From then on, JCU embarked on a 20-9 run charging out a 61-52 lead with 9:08 left to play. 

Trailing by nine, the Student Princes flipped the script, looking for a way back into the game. Slowly chipping away at the John Carroll advantage, HU really found a way back with 4:31 left. Tamal Watkins split a pair of free throws before cashing in on a 3-pointer that closed the gap to 67-65. 

JCU responded with layups on back-to-back possessions. However, in between the layups, Josh Dixon converted a crucial three-point play after being fouled on a layup that brought the score to 71-68. 

Clawing away, the Student Princes forced John Carroll into two empty possessions before Dylan Woods cashed in on a 3-pointer with 43 seconds left on the clock to tie the game. Then, after a Seth Hohman steal, Woods once again swished home from beyond the arc leading to a 74-71 lead. Unfortunately, Ryan Berger responded with a tying 3-pointer of his own at the buzzer to send the game to overtime, tied at 74. 

In the extra period, HU scored the first seven points, all but sealing off what would become an 85-83 win. Josh Dixon hit two layups before Tamal Watkins connected on a 3-pointer. 

JCU then wiggled their way back into contention, getting to within 81-79 before Watkins hit another three to distance the sides. 

With seven seconds remaining on the clock, Bailey Croft was sent to the line for Heidelberg where he connected on a crucial free throw. Down by four, Ryan Berger was fouled on a desperation 3-point attempt, sending him to the line with three seconds left. After making the first two, Berger smashed the ball off the rim before. After the deadball rebound, Jimmy Berger's tip-in at the buzzer clanked out, sealing the 85-83 win for The Berg. 

John Carroll was led in the scoring column by a 22-point performance from Ryan Berger. Jackson Sartain also added 19 for the Blue Streaks. Emmett Chambers led all players with 10 rebounds. 

Heidelberg will hit the road with the women on Saturday as they travel to Muskingum for a doubleheader. The women will tip at 2 p.m. and the men will follow at approximately 4 p.m.