January 24, 2018
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant

RICHMOND, Ind. - The Bluffton University men hit the road to face off against the Earlham College Quakers on Wednesday, Jan. 24. After a solid first half, the Beavers struggled to knock shots down in the second stanza as they fell to the Quakers, 76-63, to drop to 8-10 (5-6 HCAC) on the season.

Freshman AARON RICH (Greenville) and sophomore ANDREW RENNER (Cairo/Bath) combined to score Bluffton's first eight points and junior JUSTIS DOWDY (Van Wert/Lincolnview) followed with a pair of freebies for a 10-7 Bluffton lead at the 13:32 mark. The teams exchanged baskets most of the first half until the Beavers would get the upper hand and head into the break with a 39-35 lead.

Bluffton extended its lead to 49-43 after captains KEVIN CHRISTIE (Dayton/Bishop Fenwick) and ANDREW HUNTER(Arlington) each connected on jumpers early in the second period. The Quakers used an 11-0 spurt to take a 61-57 lead on the Beavers with 6:13 left in regulation. The visitors struggled to put the biscuit in the basket as Earlham capped off a 76-63 victory over the Beavers.

Andrew Renner tied his career high with 16 counters while grabbing a team-high five rebounds. Kevin Christie would also notch 16 points, going 8-of-8 from the charity stripe. Andrew Hunter added 12, giving the Beavers three in double figures.

Bluffton struggled from the field in the second half as the Beavers hit just 33.3 percent (9-of-27), including 0-of-10 from behind the arc. The Quakers were an efficient 50 percent from the floor (22-of-44). Both teams pulled down 29 boards, and the Beavers forced three more Earlham turnovers (12-9).

Bluffton will head back home to welcome pre-season HCAC-favorite Hanover College on Saturday, Jan. 24, with tipoff set for 3 p.m. Come out and support your Beavers!

BEAVERS-