By: Joseph Watkins, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's basketball team dropped a close one to Anderson University (56-49) in the Sommer Center on Saturday, Feb. 9. It was a defensive battle throughout with leads going back and forth, but the Beavers ultimately fell short in the end. Bluffton slipped to 16-7 overall and 10-6 in the Heartland Conference following its first home loss of the season, while Anderson improved to 10-13 overall and 9-7 in the HCAC.
The Beavers found themselves up by double digits when sophomore Aaron Rich (Greenville) got to the rack for a 17-6 lead with 9:21 left in the first stanza. But the Ravens would not give in and they cut the 11-point Beaver lead to two when Cole Hartman hit a layup that would make the score 23-21 going into the break.
The Beavers had the lead up until the 5:03 mark in the second half when Dezman Brown (Elyria) drained a pair of free throws that would make the score 43-41. Anderson used a 15-6 jag over the final 4:38 to secure a season sweep of the Beavers with a 56-49 win.
Bluffton was led by Brown who dropped in 12 on 3-of-9 shooting, including 2-of-3 from three-point land. He also came down with five rebounds. Junior Brevin Dye (Bedford Heights/Trinity) followed with 11 counters on 5-of-10 shooting from the field. Andrew Renner (Cairo/Bath) and Jameel Cosby (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) both netted eight points on a combined 7-of-16 shooting. Rich ripped down a career-high nine boards.
The Beavers hit 19-of-50 for 36 percent, compared to 19-of-49 for 38.8 percent for the Ravens. Bluffton struggled from three-point land, going 3-of-16 (18.8 percent) from distance. The home team pulled down eight more rebounds (37-29), but turned it over 15 times on the afternoon.
The Beavers will be back in action Wednesday, Feb 13, when they host Manchester University on Senior Night. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m in the Sommer Center. Come out and support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
