TIFFIN – The Heidelberg University women's basketball team was held to a season-low 39 points by the Ohio Northern Polar Bears on Wednesday night, 14 below their season average. In a slow paced matchup between two defense-minded teams, ONU emerged with a 54-39 win.   

Heidelberg was led by twins Anika and Lily Sweeney, who each finished with six points. Marissa Thomas and Sarah Shoots followed with five points each.  

On the glass, Alyssa Martin pulled down eight rebounds while Morgan Altenburger had six. 

The teams stayed within a basket of each other for much of the first quarter.  Ohio Northern (10-4, 4-3 OAC) went up five with a 3-pointer by Abby Dickson with just under three minutes left.  Heidelberg, however, rallied for the final five points of the period.  Martin, who had six rebounds in the quarter, buried a jumper from the elbow.  Later, with less than a minute remaining, Anika Sweeney knocked down a 3-pointer.

Tied at 12 after one, Anika Sweeney struck down her second 3-pointer in a minute. The Berg stayed true to their full-court press, but struggled to find the basket, shooting 23.5% from the field in the first half. They hit the locker room down five, 21-26.

ONU extended their lead to 13 by the end of the third quarter. Bailey Walter hit a wide-open three at the top of the key – the first of her career. ONU went on two runs, outscoring the Student Princes 17-9 in the third. 

Not to be outdone by Walter, the aptly-named Sarah Shoots drained her first career 3-pointer at the six-minute mark. Three minutes later, she hit a 16-foot baseline jumper, both assisted by Elisha Carter. Shoots added three rebounds and a block. To ONU's credit, Heidelberg was unable to find a rhythm offensively, thwarting any hope of a comeback.

Martin had three blocks on the night, giving her a total of seven in the last two games.

The Student Princes return to Seiberling Gymnasium again on Saturday, starting the second half of OAC action with a doubleheader against Mount Union. The women play first, with game time slated for 2 p.m.  No attendance restrictions are in place, but all fans are reminded that Heidelberg's mask policy will be strictly enforced.