TIFFIN – After a tumultuous week, the Heidelberg University women's basketball team finished up the winter break with a 76-63 setback against Otterbein University. The short-handed Student Princes struggled from the free throw line, missing 14 attempts, and were outshot at the stripe, 72.7% to 48.1%.
The Berg was led by
Bailey Walter, who finished with 18 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
Lily Sweeney matched her career-high with four 3-pointers and 16 points.
Hallie Rogers, who added 13 points of her own, sank eight free throws.
Heidelberg fell to 2-10 (1-5 OAC), while Otterbein improved to 9-3 (4-2 OAC).
A spin move in the first minute by Walter started off the scoring for the day.
Elisha Carter, Sweeney, and Rogers each added triples for the quarter. The Student Princes, who returned to the court after missing Wednesday's game because of COVID protocols, finished out a very close, fast-paced first period down 22-21.
The second quarter held scoreless until a momentum shift at 8:58.
Ashley Ballard followed up a layup with her second steal of the game. She assisted
Lily Sweeney on a 3-pointer, putting HU up by four. The game was very back-and-forth until Otterbein went on an 8-0 run for nearly four minutes. Otterbein ended the half up 39-29.
Heidelberg shot out of the gates outscoring Otterbein 18-16 in the third. The Cardinals were boosted by eight free throws.
Lily Sweeney found her last two 3-pointers and Walter added eight in the period, which closed with Heidelberg trailing 55-47.
Feeling the absence of three players, the Tricolor relied on its starters to log heavy minutes. Despite Otterbein foul trouble, the Berg couldn't capitalize on their five steals of the fourth quarter. Heidelberg made six free throws late in the quarter to finish out 76-63.
The Student Princes outshot the Cardinals from 3-point range 37.5% compared to 16.7%. Heidelberg also had 13 steals to Otterbein's eight.
Heidelberg is slated to take the court again next Wednesday at Capital University. Tip-off is lined up for 7 p.m., but the Comets missed Saturday's game against Mount Union due to COVID protocols. Any schedule adjustments will be posted at BergAthletics.com.
