TIFFIN, Ohio – Mount Union's men's basketball team, ranked No. 17 in the nation defeated nationally ranked No. 21 Heidelberg 82-56 in an Ohio Athletic Conference matchup on Saturday evening.
The Purple Raiders (13-2, 7-2 OAC) had five players score in double figures, with junior
Andrew Keller (Painesville / Riverside) leading the way with a career-high 19 points. Seniors
Darrell Newsom (Twinsburg) and
Ethan Stanislawski (Massillon / Jackson) scored 13 and 14 respectively, with senior
Braedon Poole (McDonald) and sophomore
Christian Parker (Canton / GlenOak) each scoring 10.
The Student Princes (12-3, 7-2 OAC) were led by Zane Leitwein who scored a team high 13 points.
The Raiders and Student Princes traded baskets over the first five minutes of the game before a layup by Poole sparked a 24-6 run over the next 9:59 to give the Raiders a 30-15 lead with 5:30 remaining in the first half. Heidelberg was able to hold Mount Union scoreless for the next minute and a half before a three by junior
Chris Painter Jr. (Akron / St. Vincent-St. Mary) sparked a 12-3 run over the final 3:53 of the half to give the Raiders a 42-20 lead heading into the break.
Mount Union opened the second half with a 7-2 run to stretch their lead up to 27 with 17:08 remaining in the game. Heidelberg was able to cut the lead down to 23 a couple minutes later but that is the closest they would be able to get as the Raiders would go on to win 82-56.
The Raiders shot 53.2-percent from the field, while holding Heidelberg to just 34.3-percent shooting, including 4-of-25 from three.
Mount Union returns home next taking on La Roche (Pa.) on Monday, January 24 at 7 p.m. in the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex in Alliance.
