NEW CONCORD, Ohio -- Another sluggish start doomed the Heidelberg University Men's Basketball team in a 77-71 setback at Muskingum University on Saturday. After starting the season 11-4, The Berg has dropped four of its last five. 

One of four Student Princes in double figures, Eric Panning had a team-high 16 points, eight rebounds, and four blocked shots in the loss. Tre Watkins had 13 points, Jashun Cobb had 12 and Isaiah Young had 11.

The Muskies buried Heidelberg in a massive hole over the first six minutes of the game, shooting 6-for-8 from the floor while holding HU to a woeful 1-for-8. As a result, the hosts led, 15-2. 

Heidelberg shook off the slow start and countered with a 17-6 run that brought them back to within two. During that 6:30 stretch, the Student Princes shot 7-for-11.Muskingum inflated their lead back to nine, but Heidelberg found ways to stay close. The Muskies led, 37-31, at halftime.

Despite a wide-spread scoring attack by HU, Muskingum was able to keep a comfortable lead throughout the second half. Seemingly each time the Student Princes clawed back to within one possession, the Muskies responded with a couple big shots that extended their advantage.

Led by a 29-point effort from Owen Emig, Muskingum led wire-to-wire.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: 

Watkins ran his career point total to 970, which includes two seasons at West Virginia State University … Young sits at 949 career points … Now with 660 career rebounds, Eric Panning is eighth in program history … As the regular season enters the home stretch, Heidelberg sits in a logjam in the middle of the pack within the Ohio Athletic Conference. The top six teams qualify for the conference tournament, with the top two seeds receiving a first-round bye. 

UP NEXT: 

Heidelberg returns to Seiberling Gymnasium next week for its final two home games of the regular season. On Wednesday, HU hosts Capital for a 7 p.m. contest.