Junior Malcolm Heard II missed two free throws, the second intentionally, with 0.5 seconds remaining and Wilmington fell to Heidelberg Saturday, 73-71, in Ohio Athletic Conference action at Fred Raizk Arena in Hermann Court.

After an excellent defensive possession that led to a missed three-pointer, Wilmington had 11 seconds remaining to work for the tying basket. Following a timeout, junior Klarke Ransome (Richwood, OH/North Union) came off a ball screen and had a good look at a jumper near the free throw line. Heard grabbed the rebound and was fouled on the putback attempt.

With WC trailing by five with a little under two minutes remaining, Ransome hit a three-pointer to pull the Quakers to within two. The teams traded baskets and Wilmington defensive stop set up the last possession.

Wilmington controlled most of the first half, and built an eight-point lead with 6:44 left in the first half. But, the Quakers committed seven turnovers in the final six-plus minutes and the 'Berg was able to take a two-point lead into the locker room following a lay-up at the buzzer.

Much like WC controlled the first half, Heidelberg did the same in the second. The Student Princes took a six-point advantage early in the half, and never relinquished the lead.

Heidelberg shot nearly 57 percent (27-of-48) from the field, made 11-of-15 from the line and won the rebounding battle 29-25 in posting the victory.

Ransome finished with a team-high 16 points, one off his career-high of 17, while senior Brandon Candella (West Chester, OH/Lakota West) added 15 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Heard chipped in with 13 points, four rebounds, three steals and three blocks.

In his first game since transferring from Division II Ashland, junior Jordan Berlin (Wilmington, OH/Wilmington) added six points in 15 minutes of action.

Wilmington (4-7 overall, 1-4 OAC) hopes to snap its three-game losing streak when the travel to Oxford, OH to face the Division I Miami RedHawks 3 p.m. December 30.