TIFFIN -- Playing for the first time in three weeks, the No. 21 Heidelberg University men's basketball team shook off the rust and emerged victorious on Saturday.  The Student Princes nipped the Otterbein University Cardinals, 75-72.  

Emmanuel Perdue had a game-high 18 points while Dylan Woods added 14 points and a season-high seven assists.  Heidelberg improved to 11-1 overall, 6-0 in the OAC.  Otterbein slipped to 10-3, 4-2.  

Dating back to last season, the Student Princes have won nine straight regular season OAC games -- setting a program record.  The previous best was an eight-game stretch in the 1987-88 season.  

A 13-0 run early in the first half -- one that was bookended by 3-pointers from Eric Panning and Tre Watkins -- gave Heidelberg a 17-6 lead.  Later, a steal-and-a-score from Zane Leitwein pushed the lead out to 14 points, their biggest of the game.  

Undaunted, Otterbein responded with a 14-3 run that brought them to within three with less than six minutes to play in the half.  Heidelberg led 40-33 at the break. 

The Tricolor opened with a 6-0 run to start the second half, padding their lead.  

Down 10 midway through the second, Otterbein began to chip away.   The Cardinals whittled the deficit down to as small as four over the next eight minutes.  

Unintimidated, Heidelberg always found an answer when the visitors inched closer.  The Cardinals never had a chance to tie until the final seconds of the game.  Brennan Rains' desperation heave from near half court battered the side of the backboard.  

Perhaps owing to the long layoff, Heidelberg tied a season low with four 3-pointers on the day.  

Panning had a game-high 11 rebounds.   

Heidelberg improved to 6-0 in OAC action for the second year in a row.  

The Berg hosts Capital University (8-4, 3-3) in a rare Tuesday night OAC match up.  Tipoff with the Comets is scheduled for 7 p.m.