February 3, 2018
By: Takayla Gadberry, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's basketball team welcomed back alumni today as they took to Copeland Court for a matchup against HCAC-leading Rose-Hulman. The Beavers dropped a heartbreaker in overtime (83-75). Bluffton stands 9-12 overall (6-8 HCAC), while Rose Hulman improved to 14-7 on the season (12-2 HCAC).
RHIT controlled the tip but the score stayed tied at zero until nearly two and a half minutes in when Nick McGrail got the first basket of the game. Bluffton answered back with two ANDREW HUNTER (Arlington) trifectas for a 6-2 advantage early in the first half.
A 5-0 run by the Beavers was capped off by two KEVIN CHRISTIE (Miamisburg/Bishop Fenwick) freebies, putting the home team up 21-18. A jumper by ANDREW RENNER (Cairo/Bath) gave the Beavers a nine-point cushion with just over 30 seconds left in the half. Craig McGee got to the rack just before the buzzer sounded, pulling Rose within 34-27 at the break.
JUSTIS DOWDY (Van Wert/Lincolnview) was the star of the second half, putting up 13 consecutive points for a 49-41 Bluffton advantage at the 11:43 mark. Rose-Hulman came right back to tie the game at 53 with 6:17 to play. Despite being down by as many as seven, a Kevin Christie layup followed by a steal and deuce by Justis Dowdy tied the game at 69, sending the contest into overtime.
Rose-Hulman took the overtime tip and never looked back as they only allowed two Beaver buckets in the free session. The Engineers outscored Bluffton 14-6 in the extra period to secure their 83-75 victory.
Leading Bluffton was Justis Dowdy with a career-high 17 points. He also buried a career-best three trifectas and tied his career high with two steals. Two other Beavers were in double digits as Kevin Christie added 16 points and Andrew Renner put up 13 counters in the loss.
The Beavers shot 30-of-72 (41.7 percent) from the field, falling short of Rose's 32-for-63 (50.8 percent). Bluffton was efficient 8-of-19 (42.1 percent) from distance and 7-of-8 (87.5 percent) at the free-throw line. The Engineers connected on 10-of-26 (38.5 percent) from deep and 9-of-12 (75 percent) from the stripe. Rose-Hulman pulled down two more boards (39-37), however the visitors coughed up the ball six more times (12-6).
The Beavers will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 7, as they head to rival Defiance College for a double-header. Tip off for the women is slated for 6 p.m. with the men to follow at 8 p.m.
-BEAVERS-