TIFFIN– The Heidelberg University men's basketball team opened up OAC play with a resounding 99-83 triumph over the Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets. In a tale of two halves, the Student Princes rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit. 

Senior Tre Watkins was one of five in double figures for Heidelberg, which improved to 5-1 on the season. With only two points in the first half, Watkins flipped a switch and scored 22 of his career-high 24 points in the second half.  His scoring outburst went along with five rebounds and four assists.  

Shooting 50% in the first half, Baldwin Wallace sucked the air out of the rowdy 'Berg crowd by beating Heidelberg at their own game. The visitors set a frenetic pace with a number of fast break layups. Led by Ashton Price, who finished with 24 points, the BW lead ballooned to as many as 15 in the opening 20 minutes. 

Down 43-31 at half, the Student Princes never panicked and went back to what they knew best – setting the tone with their defense and translating it to easy offense. 

"We drew a lot of energy from getting stops on defense, which helped us get back into the game," said Watkins, who drew two charges in the second half rally.  

Midway through the second half, a technical foul on Baldwin Wallace riled up the Heidelberg student section.  Emmanuel Perdue split the ensuing free throws and cut the deficit down to 68-59. The din inside Seiberling Gymnasium continued to grow when a Jacob Lodgson 3-pointer cut the Baldwin Wallace lead to only six with less than ten minutes to go.

Aggressive in the paint, Heidelberg got to the line 23 times in the second half, hitting 19 of them. 

Down 71-69 with 6:45 to play, Watkins hit the first of three critical 3-pointers down the stretch, giving The Berg the lead.  

Ahead 72-71, HU corralled a missed BW 3-pointer on the next possession.  Watkins connected with Eric Panning for an alley-oop, sending the crowd into a frenzy.  

BW was helpless as the Heidelberg lead continued to grow.  Heidelberg emphatically punctuated the comeback with a second Panning dunk -- this time an underhanded alley-oop feed from Seth Hohman.  

Heidelberg outscored BW 68-40 in the second half, and 41-15 after the technical foul.  

Sophomore standout Isaiah Young ended with 17 points shooting an efficient 53% from the field. Perdue got going in the second half, netting 14 points. Panning contributed 13 points and pulled down a game-high nine boards. Meanwhile, Jashun Cobb provided a huge lift in the second half with 11 points. 

OAC play continues on Saturday as the No. 2 Mount Union Purple Raiders come to Tiffin to face the Student Princes. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m., with the women's game to follow.