SPRINGFIELD, OH - Wittenberg Men's Basketball fell behind early against hot-shooting Heidelberg and couldn't find a way back in a 96-72 loss to the visiting Student Princes.

Heidelberg, which improved to 6-4 on the season while playing a very challenging schedule, hit 53.3% from the field, including a blistering 11-of-23 from three-point range. The Student Princes also won the rebounding battle, 35-31, and their active defensive pressure resulted in 14 Wittenberg turnovers, leading to 25 Heidelberg points.

In the opening minutes, Wittenberg took a 5-2 lead, but a 9-0 Heidelberg run turned the momentum quickly. The Tigers, playing without multiple key players due to injuries and illness, struggled to keep pace as foul problems forced other key players to the bench and Heidelberg pushed the tempo through halftime with a commanding 53-29 advantage.

The two teams played to a 43-43 stalemate over the final 20 minutes, a credit to the scrappy Tigers who kept battling even as both benches emptied in the late going.

Eddie Brown (Lewis Center, OH / Olentangy Orange) led the way in both scoring and rebounding for the Tigers with 17 points and nine rebounds. Trey Killens (Cincinnati, OH / Mason) added 16 points and five assists, and Cameron Harrison (Eaton, OH / National Trail) contributed 12 points and four rebounds.

The Tigers shot a respectable 44.1% from the field, including 8-of-21 from three-point range, but Wittenberg struggled from the free throw line, hitting just 12-of-23 attempts.

With the loss, Wittenberg fell to 4-5 on the season. The Tigers next head to Las Vegas for the D3hoops.com Classic where they will take on Edgewood and Hardin-Simmons on December 29 and December 30, respectively.