ADA -- The Heidelberg University Men's Basketball team kept pace in the top half of the Ohio Athletic Conference standings, working a 79-65 win on the road at Ohio Northern University. Playing an unusual midweek afternoon game because of impending weather, HU rode a blistering-hot start from Elijah Harden en route to the win. 

Heidelberg, having already clinched a spot in the six-team OAC Tournament, improved to 15-7 overall, 11-4 in league play. ONU slipped to 11-11, 5-10.   

At the first media timeout, Heidelberg held a 19-8 lead. Harden played a major role in the hot start, going 5-for-5 from the floor. The timeout did little to cool off Harden, who buried another trey shortly after play resumed. 

Heidelberg led, 24-12, midway through the half before both teams went ice-cold. The squads combined for three points over a six-minute span. Despite the lull, Heidelberg enjoyed a 36-27 lead at the break. 

ONU closed to within four early in the second half, but the Student Princes were able to reinflate their cushion to 12. Aiding the run was a Manny Hill layup sandwiched between 3-pointers from Markell Johnson-Nichols and Harden.  

The Student Princes maintained at least a two-possession advantage the rest of the way. 

Harden finished with 25 points, one of five in double figures for Heidelberg. Zane Leitwein added 17 while Johnson-Nichols had 13 points and a team-high four assists.  

Heidelberg hosts Mount Union on Saturday at 3 p.m. on Senior Day.