TIFFIN -- A slow start and a frantic finish led to a 78-77 loss for the Heidelberg University Men's Basketball team. Muskingum, which led by as many as 14 in the first half, won the game on a late fast break layup by DJ Fowler.

Heidelberg dropped to 4-4 overall, 1-1 in the OAC. The Muskies improved to 4-4, 2-0.  

Trailing for most of the game, a jumper by Elijah Harden with 9:05 left tied the contest. Riley Gossom drilled a 3-pointer on the next HU possession to give Heidelberg its first lead since early in the first half, 61-58.  

From there, the lead seesawed four times until the final minute. Up 77-74 with the ball, HU turned it over with an offensive foul. Muskingum missed a game-tying three at the other end, but Zaveon Croff collected the rebound and made a contested layup to draw within one.  

Desperate for a bucket, Markell Johnson-Nichols drove the lane with 15 seconds left but came up empty. The Muskies charged ahead with the rebound, feeding the fleet-footed Fowler in the forecourt. Fowler connected on the layup, putting the visitors up one. 

Eschewing a timeout, Heidelberg pushed forward past a disorganized Muskie defense. Harden pulled up for a 17-foot jumper, but his would-be game-wimmer clanged off the rim as time expired.  

Harden led HU with 19 points -- one of four in double figures for HU. Manny Hill finished with 18 points and 10 boards to pick up his first double double of the year.  Zane Leitwein had 12 points and Johnson-Nichols had 11.  

Muskingum's bench outscored Heidelberg's, 41-9, thanks in large part to a 23-point outburst by Croff.  

The Student Princes return to action next Saturday as they travel to Otterbein and take on the Cardinals. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.