TIFFIN -- Unbeaten no more!

The Heidelberg University Men's Basketball toppled previously undefeated No. 4 Mount Union, 83-76, in front of a frenzied crowd inside Seiberling Gymnasium. 

The Student Princes, now 10-7 overall and 4-4 in the OAC, led by 17 points early in the second half, but the powerful Purple Raiders roared back to take a four-point lead with 4:42 to play. The Berg responded with a 13-2 run to close the game, touching off a joyous court storming.  

"In a short time, our guys have learned how they need to play together to win," said Head Coach Mike Summey after the game, still dripping from a celebratory locker room dousing. "I am so sincerely happy for each and every one of them. They earned this victory."

Scoreless for the first 2.5 minutes, Heidelberg broke out a 9-0 lead over the next two minutes. The Purple Raiders, now 16-1, tried to claw back into the game, but the Student Princes hit big shot after big shot to maintain momentum. Riley Gossom capped the first 20 minutes with a 3-pointer, putting HU up 45-34 at the break. 

Ready to withstand a few punches from the Purple Raiders after halftime, HU jabbed first.  Brady Bosma connected on a three-point play and Markell Johnson-Nichols drilled a 3-pointer -- all in the first minute of the second half. HU led, 51-34.

Unsurprisingly, Mount fought their way back into the contest. Making timely baskets and getting stops, the visitors inched closer and closer. After tying the game at 55 with 11:46 to play, Mount watched HU score the next eight points. Riley Gossom hit a tough layup, then Bosma and Jarveil Gainey buried 3-pointers -- and suddenly, the Tricolor led by eight. 

Mount scratched back into the game, taking their first lead on a 3-pointer by Kevin Moore that put them up, 71-70 with 5:17 left. After a turnover, Dante Collier put his squad ahead by four with 4:42 to play.  

From there, Mount Union was helpless as Summey's Student Princes scored the next 12 points: Free throws from Bosma … a layup from Abba Lawal, who transformed the game late subbing in for Gossom, who was forced to the bench with four fouls … a putback by Bosma that gave HU the lead for good … another jumper by Lawal … a layup from Marcos Vazquez … and a pair from the line by Trey Killens. All in a four minute span, with the boisterous student section exploding after each defensive stop or offensive make.

Mount missed seven 3-pointers in the final 2:11. Their final miss came with 14 seconds left. Johnson-Nichols grabbed the rebound, sprinted into the forecourt. After time expired, he was joined by his exuberant teammates and more than 100 of his classmates for a mobbing.  

Bosma led all scorers with 19 points to go along with nine rebounds. Johnson-Nichols had 16 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Gossom and Vazquez each had 15 points, with the latter adding eight assists. 

The win over the nation's No. 4 team is HU's first win over a top-five opponent since Dec. 3, 2022. The opponent that afternoon? No. 2 Mount Union, a team who came to Tiffin with an unblemished record (5-0), only to run into the rough-and-tumble Heidelberg Student Princes. That game ended 82-70. 

Heidelberg stays home this weekend for a double-header against Wilmington. Tipoff is set for 1 p.m.