TIFFIN, Ohio—Junior honorable mention All-Ohio Athletic Conference forward Nate Davis (Dayton/Stivers) scored 16 points and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds, but the Heidelberg University men's basketball team fell to Muskingum University, 80-73, this afternoon in an Ohio Athletic Conference game at Seiberling Gymnasium in Tiffin, Ohio. All proceeds from the game will be donated to the American Cancer Society in support of its Coaches vs. Cancer program.
The double-double was Davis' fourth of the season and sixth of his career. Heidelberg (6-13, 4-8 OAC), received 11 points from sophomore forward Victor Fortkamp (St. Henry) and 10 points from junior guard Quintin Aden (Canal Winchester/Harvest Prep), who was two-of-two from three point range and four-of-four from the free throw line.
Muskingum (7-12, 4-8 OAC) was led by Kyle Clinedinst's game-high 24 points on 10-of-18 shooting and team-high 11 rebounds. Josh Brindley added 16 points and seven rebounds of his own, while Carson Thomas and JJ Armstrong tallied 14 points and 11 points, respectively.
Brindley made a lay-up a converted the three-point play following a junior guard Dane Givner (Pittsburgh, Pa./Harvest Prep) foul at the 16:38 mark to cap a 9-3 run by Muskingum to open the game.
Muskingum extended its lead to 13-6 before the Berg made a 6-2 run over its own to cut the gap to 15-12 following a jumper by sophomore guard Jordan Turner (Swanton/Delta) with 13:01 on the clock.
The Fighting Muskies again built a seven point lead at 26-19, as Brindley converted another three-point play to cap a 11-7 jaunt at the 8:21 mark.
Muskingum closed the first half on a 14-11 run and took its largest lead of half at 40-30 when Clinedinst canned a jumper with six seconds on the clock.
Both teams combined to shoot 56.3 (27-of-48) percent from the field in the first half, but Muskingum did not commit a turnover during the first 20 minutes.
Thomas opened the second half with a three pointer to give Muskingum a 43-30 lead, but the Berg answered with an 11 jaunt, capped at 14:06 with a jumper by Davis, leaving Heidelberg to battle a 46-41 deficit.
Muskingum again built its lead to double digits and both teams traded points for much of the remainder of the second half.
Heidelberg cut the deficit to as few as four points at 65-61 following a pair of Davis free throws at 3:42.
The Muskies scored six straight points to again build its lead to 10 points at 71-61. The Student Princes continued to battle, but foul trouble kept the Muskies on the charity stripe down the stretch.
Despite the loss, the Berg shot 41.2 (21-of-51) percent from the field and 78.8 (26-of-33) percent from the line. The Student Princes outrebounded Muskingum, 37-30, including 15 offensive caroms, and committed just 13 turnovers.
The Fighting Muskies shot a blistering 51.9 (28-of-54) from the field and committed just six turnovers.
Heidelberg returns to the hardwood Wednesday, Feb. 1 when it hosts John Carroll University in an OAC tilt at 7:30 p.m.