TIFFIN -- The highly-anticipated 2023-24 season got off to a great start for the Heidelberg University Men's Basketball team. The Student Princes hosted and won the second-annual Ron Linhart Memorial Tournament -- demolishing Bluffton on Friday, 92-52, then repeating the effort against Penn State Altoona, winning 111-66.
The combined 203 points are the most in two games since Heidelberg amassed 212 on Feb. 23 and Feb. 27, 2008, in wins over Muskingum and John Carroll.
Following the event,
Isaiah Young,
Eric Panning and
Tre Watkins were named to the All-Tournament Team.
GAME ONE: BERG 92 BLUFFTON 52
Wire-to-wire, Heidelberg outplayed the Bluffton squad. In his return from a season-ending injury,
Tre Watkins put HU on the board with a 3-pointer. Hot early, Watkins had eight of Heidelberg's first 12 points.
After Watkins cooled,
Eric Panning put on a performance for the ages. Highlighted by three dunks and a turn-around jumper, the 6-10 senior had 17 points and nine boards at halftime. His put-back layup at the horn gave the Student Princes a 44-21 lead.
With the reserves playing healthy minutes, Heidelberg's lead blossomed to as many as 49 in the second half.
Panning finished with a career-high 22 points and pulled down 13 boards -- notching his ninth career double-double.
With three triple-hits apiece, Watkins and
Brady Bosma finished in double figures.
GAME TWO: BERG 111 ALTOONA 66
As he did on Friday, Watkins was red-hot early -- starting 5-for-5 from long range. He helped Heidelberg take an early 13-2 lead.
An up-tempo attack helped the Student Princes extend their lead to as many as 26 in the first half. Heidelberg led 64-43 at the break.
The onslaught continued in the second half, as six landed in double figures. Watkins finished with 21, Young had 17 and Panning had 12. Bosma,
Amil Jenkins and
Jashun Cobb each had 11.
The 111 points were the most for Heidelberg since the program beat Marietta, 136-120, in 2004.
WEEKEND STATS:
Tre Watkins - 36 points, 8 assists, 2 steals, 50% FG, 47% 3PT (8-17)
Eric Panning - 34 points, 24 rebounds, 2 blocks, 75% FG (12-16), 10-16 from FT
Brady Bosma - 23 points, 53% FG, 45% 3PT (5-11)
Isaiah Young - 21 points, 3 assists, 5 rebounds, 56% FG (9-16)
Jashun Cobb - 20 points, 9 assists, 4 steals, 6 rebounds, 6-9 FT, 46% FG (7-15)
Amil Jenkins - 17 points, 2 steals, 10 rebounds, 63% FG (7-11)
ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM:
Kendall Chrismon (Adrian)
Myles Thomas (Bluffton)
Mason Bush (Penn State Altoona)
Isaiah Young (Heidelberg)
Eric Panning (Heidelberg)
Tre Watkins (Heidelberg), Most Outstanding Player
UP NEXT:
Heidelberg travels to face Akron on Tuesday in a game that will serve as an exhibition for The Berg. Next weekend, The Berg travels to Chicago for the two-day Lee Pfund Classic at Wheaton. Heidelberg plays Alma on Friday.
