TIFFIN, Ohio – The Ohio Wesleyan University men's basketball team kicked off day one of the Ron Linhart Memorial Classic Friday night, facing host Heidelberg. The two-day tournament includes Heidelberg, John Carroll, Ohio Wesleyan and Olivet. The Battling Bishops carried a three-point lead into halftime and extended it in the second half, defeating the Student Princes 91–78. 

Ohio Wesleyan improves to 2-1 in the early season. Heidelberg suffers their first loss, dropping to 1-1.

The Bishops and Student Princes exchanged buckets early throughout the first half, with Heidelberg mounting a 31-26 lead with five minutes before the break. The Red and Black quickly shifted momentum in their favor, capitalizing on Heidelberg turnovers to finish the half on a 16-8 run. Points off turnovers were a key factor in the first half, as the Bishops scored 11 compared to Heidelberg's zero. OWU also controlled the paint in the first 20 minutes, outscoring the Student Princes 20-14.

Following halftime, the contest remained competitive, with the score deadlocked at 68-68 with eight minutes to play. Moments later the Bishops broke through, going on a 17-4 run led by Quinn Hart with 10 points during the stretch. With just four minutes left, the Bishops led 85-72 and closed out the game to secure a 91-78 victory over Heidelberg.

THE NUMBERS
OWU shot 54.0% from the field and 51.6% from three.

Isaac Ward and Jessee Battle led the Ohio Wesleyan offense with 23 points each. 

Ward was 9-for-14 from the field and connected on 50.0% of his three-point attempts, draining three triples. He added three rebounds and two assists. 

Battle was 9-of-13 from the floor, also knocking down three from beyond the arc. He grabbed four rebounds, dished a team-high six assists, and made two steals. 

Jake Lowman controlled the glass, grabbing a game-high nine rebounds. Lowman recorded 16 points of his own, shooting 5-for-16 from the field and 4-for-9 from three. 

Quinn Hart shot an efficient 4-of-6 from the floor, all three-pointers, finishing with 13 points.

Kevin Gallagher scored eight points and one assist.

Cal Klinzing and James McCarthy both recorded four points and two assists. 

UP NEXT
The Bishops are back in action tomorrow for day two of the Ron Linhart Memorial Classic, taking on Olivet at 5 p.m.