Contact: Clark Teuscher, Sports Information Director, 630-637-5302

TIFFIN, Ohio (Nov. 18, 2017) - A late 7-0 rally by the hosts wound up being the undoing for the North Central College men's basketball team in its season opener on Saturday, as the Cardinals lost a 98-93 double-overtime decision at Heidelberg University.

North Central led for most of the second half before the Student Princes rallied to force extra time. Heidelberg put together a 7-0 surge early in the second extra session to put the game away in a contest which saw six Cardinals score in double figures.

North Central owned a 35-28 advantage late in the first half before the Student Princes closed the gap to 37-34 by halftime as Chris Moxley came up with a steal and layup just before time ran out. The Cardinals opened up a 42-34 lead on Alex Sorenson's three-pointer, and owned a 50-45 edge before Heidelberg reeled off 10 straight points to move in front. A three-pointer by Aiden Chang gave North Central a 70-68 lead with 1:02 left in regulation, but Heidelberg's Kiere Bennie countered with a three-point play at the other end. Connor Raridon made one of two free throws with 15 seconds left to force the first overtime period.

The teams were deadlocked, 79-79, at the end of the first extra period. The Cardinals owned an 85-84 advantage following two free throws by Chang with 2:37 on the clock, but Heidelberg got a layup from Alex Arellano, a putback by Prince Benson and a three-point play by Moxley on consecutive possessions to take a 91-85 lead with 1:19 left and led the rest of the way.

Erwin Henry led North Central with 21 points, while Matt Cappelletti totaled 13 off the bench. Raridon totaled 12 points and 10 rebounds, Chang put up 12 points, and Sorenson and Mike Pollack each finished with 11. Bennie led all scorers with 31 points for Heidelberg, which also got 24 points from Moxley.

The Cardinals host Benedictine University on Tuesday. Tipoff at Gregory Arena is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.