HIRAM, Ohio – January 5, 2022 – Hiram men's basketball dropped a home North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) game, 89-83, against Ohio Wesleyan Wednesday night.

Hiram jolted ahead early after Oliver Clingain made a layup about four minutes into the contest. The Terriers lead held firm as the middle portion of the first half approached. Doug Sartain made a jump shot with 12:41 left in the half as the home team's lead held at 27-19.

The Battling Bishops began the fight back, putting up eight straight points as Ryan Sheridan made back-to-back shots making it 32-30 with under eight minutes left in the half.

Both teams traded baskets as the first half winded down. Zane Ries tied the game at 36, which was followed by Preston Crabtree giving the visitors the lead after a jump shot with 3:14 remaining.

Michael Ewart finished the scoring for Hiram for the half as he made a layup tying the game at 38. No further scoring would take place as both teams headed to the locker room with 38 points.

The tight contest continued into the second half with both teams looking to get ahead. Grant Spicer and David layup both made two-point shots for the Battling Bishops as the road side took a 55-49 lead with 15:16 left in regulation.

About two minutes later, a Doug Sartain layup made it a one-point contest with Hiram now trailing 57-56.

A pair of three-point baskets made by Nick Carlson gave OWU a lead of 67-58. Again the Battling Bishops were hot beyond the arc as Sheridan and Reece Mitchell put the road team up 77-64 with 7:57 left.

The three-point scoring continued, this time for the home team, as Brodgie Gordon and Doug Sartain connected on long balls that put Hiram right back into the contest at 79-75.

As the final minutes approached, the game remained a steady back-and-forth, as Hiram looked to get ahead. With 1:08 left in the second half, Oliver Clingain made a layup with the score now 85-79 OWU.

Roughly thirty seconds later, Chance Wells knocked down a three-point shot that made it a one-possession contest with 32 seconds left and the score now 85-82.

David Rice put the game away for OWU sinking two free throws, as the Battling Bishops won 89-83.

Ohio Wesleyan finished the game shooting 53.2% from the floor and 41.4% from three. Hiram finished with the same field goal percentage while shooting 37.9% from deep.

All five starters and Doug Sartain reached double figures for Hiram. Kevin Beans Jr. led the way in scoring with 18, while Gordon had 16. Additionally, Michael Ewart finished with 12, Clingain and Spencer Willman 11 and Sartain ten. Beans Jr. also had six rebounds with five assists with Gordon having five rebounds and six assists.

Carlson finished with 22 points and Spicer had 13 points while collecting 12 rebounds.

With the loss, Hiram now moves to 3-8 on the year and 0-5 in NCAC play. The team next hits the hardwood on Sunday, Jan. 9 in an NCAC home contest vs. Allegheny at 3 p.m.