TIFFIN – The Heidelberg University men's basketball team hosted Ohio Northern on Wednesday evening. In a game that saw eight lead changes, Heidelberg found themselves on the losing end in a thriller. Two ONU free throws in the final seconds sealed the game, 65-64. 

With his team trailing by two under a minute to play, Emmanuel Perdue drove the lane and sank an acrobatic layup which tied the game. Fouled on the play, Perdue calmly sank the go-ahead free throw with exactly 30 seconds remaining -- setting the boisterous Seiberling Gymnasium crowd into a frenzy.  The lead, 64-63, was Heidelberg's first since the opening moments of the second half.  

Holding the ball in hopes of finding the final shot, ONU drained much of the clock before sending star CJ Napier toward the hoop.  His initial look was deflected, but he was fouled on a put-back attempt.  Shooting 75% from the line, he sank both with 2.3 seconds left.

A desperation shot from Isaiah Young was off the mark, putting a disappointing punctuation mark on a highly entertaining contest.  

On a rough day offensively, Heidelberg was led by a terrific effort from Seth Hohman.  It seemed that each of his five 3-pointers came at a critical juncture in the contest. 

With 11 points, Jashun Cobb was the only other Student Prince in double figures.  

Ahead 35-34 at half, Heidelberg found itself down nine with 9:23 remaining.  HU stormed back with an 8-0 run, ignited by back-to-back triple hits from Hohman and DJ Ferguson.  

Ohio Northern, led by veterans Napier, Michael Berner and Adam Scott, seemed to find a bucket every time the hosts tried to gather momentum.  All 11 of ONU's second-chance points came after halftime.  

Scott scored a layup with 3:17 left that put the Polar Bears ahead 61-58. Despite open looks for both sides, the game remained at 61-58 for more than two minutes of action.  It was Hohman who broke the drought, draining a game-tying triple from the corner with Berner's hand in his face. 

In all, there were eight lead changes, and neither side led by more than nine.  HU squeaked out a win on the boards, edging the Polar Bears, 37-34.  

Bolstered by Cobb, the HU bench outscored ONU's, 29-17.  

Heidelberg fell to 12-4 overall (7-2 OAC) while ONU improved to 8-8 overall (4-5 OAC). 

The Student Princes will prepare for a tough matchup in Alliance as they face the No. 3 Mount Union Purple Raiders on Saturday. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. with the women to follow.