ADA, Ohio — Freshman Joe Staley scored a career high 22 points, but it wasn't enough to lead the Ohio Northern men's basketball team to a win as they dropped a 67-63 contest to visiting Heidelberg Wednesday at the ONU Sports Center.
With the loss the Polar Bears fall to 6-7 overall and 3-4 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, while the Student Princes improve to 5-7 overall and 3-2 in the conference.
Freshman Jared Hortsman added 11 points and junior Scott Schnelle chipped in 10 points.
Heidelberg was led by Dane Givner's 23 points, with Kyle Tuley and Darion Capers adding 12 and 11 respectively.
After a then-career high 21 points Dec. 29 against Allegheny (Pa.), Staley has now posted career-highs in scoring in back-to-back games.
Heidelberg jumped to a quick 12-2 lead and evenutally led 36-26 at halftime.
The Polar Bears cut the lead to 41-37 with 16:20 remaining after a free throw by sophomore Taylor Kuhlman capped off an 11-2 run.
Northern battled back and cut the lead to 49-48 after sophomore Jason Faykosh stole the ball and put in a fast break layup with 7:59 left.
The two teams continued to trade baskets with Heidelberg keeping the lead until Staley put in a layup with 2:42 left to give the Polar Bears their first lead of the night at 58-57.
Heidelberg answered right back on the next possession when Givner sank a three to put Heidelberg back up 60-58.
A layup by freshman by Branden Rushton with 20 seconds left brought the Polar Bears back to within 63-62.
Givner was fouled before the clock started and sank two free throws to put Heidelberg back up 65-62. Givner then sank two more free throws with 0.3 seconds to play to give Heidelberg the 67-63 win.
"They came in and knocked us on our heels and we had to dig out of it which took a lot out of us," ONU head coach John Rhodes said. "Jason (Faykosh) coming off the bench energized the team and the crowd, which is what we were looking for. We're going to keep coaching them up and we're going to keep getting better."
The Polar Bears will return to action on Saturday at 4 pm as they travel to Alliance to take on Mt. Union in an OAC showdown.