ALLIANCE -- It's like they say … the fifth time is the charm! 

The No. 5 seed Heidelberg University Men's Basketball team knocked off No. 1 seed Mount Union in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals, 84-82. The upset ended a string of four straight semifinal losses to Mount in Alliance, dating back to the 2021-22 season. 

Markell Johnson-Nichols and Marcos Vazquez led the way with 22 and 21 points, respectively. Trey Killens added 14 and Brady Bosma added 11.  

Heidelberg was buoyed by a gritty performance. Shots from the floor struggled to fall, especially late in the second half, but the aggressive Student Princes forced their way to the line. There, The Berg finished 21-of-26 for the game.

Close throughout, the game featured five ties and 12 lead changes -- including seven in the final three minutes. 

Mount Union led by seven with six minutes left, but the pesky Student Princes clawed their way back. The visitor used four free throws, a 3-pointer from Bosma, and a wide-open layup by Johnson-Nichols to snare a short-lived one-point advantage with 1:59 to play. 

The Purple Raiders, ranked No. 8 in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25, regained the lead with a Chance Casenhiser jumper with 62 seconds left. Undaunted, Vazquez was fouled and buried both free throws. Down one, Mount was fouled, but missed the front half of a one-and-one. Killens grabbed the board and was quickly fouled.  He split the pair, and HU led 83-81 with 32 seconds left. 

Out of a timeout, Casenhiser clanked a 3-point shot off the back of the rim, but Elijah Farrington corralled the rebound. On his way back up, he drew a whistle and went to the line and made the first. Heidelberg Head Coach Mike Summey called his final timeout to go over the final 3.8 seconds. 

Farrington missed the potential game-tying free throw, and Killens controlled the rebound. Back at the line, he split the pair and HU led, 84-82.  A last second prayer was late and off the mark -- touching off a joyous celebration for the Student Princes.  

Heidelberg will face No. 2 seed Otterbein on Saturday in the OAC Tournament Championship -- marking HU's first trip to the finals since 2009.  The winner will receive the OAC's automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament.

Gametime in Westerville is slated for 6 p.m. 

Photo Courtesy of Ed Hall Jr. / Mount Union Sports Information