By: Jack Reed, sports information assistant
Photo used with story is a file photo from the 2019-20 season for those concerned about mask wearing and social distancing
BLUFFTON, Ohio - Basketball is back for the men now, too! The Bluffton University men opened up their 2020-21 season right here on the banks of the Riley Creek. The Beavers hosted Adrian College in an out-of-conference matchup. Adrian came into tonight's game dropping their first two contests to Trine and Manchester. Bluffton used a 39-26 second half to come out victorious, 61-59, in an intense battle.
Bluffton was led out to start the game by senior point guard Ronnie James (Cleveland/Benedictine), sophomore guard Mike Ketner (Minster), junior guard Chad Frey (Lima/Bath), sophomore forward Marcus Bruns (Coldwater) and senior forward Aaron Rich (Greenville). Bluffton struggled early on but stayed in it with some stifling defense. The Beavers first basket didn't come until over seven minutes came off the clock when Rich finally got to the rack.
Two quick threes by Adrian made the score 10-2 with over 11 minutes remaining in the half. Bluffton answered with a nice scoring spurt that consisted of a triple by freshman Damian Davis (Bexley) and a bucket by Bruns. With nine minutes left to play in the half, the Beavers closed the gap and made it a 12-7 ballgame.
At the five-minute mark Adrian led by a score of 17-11 before four points came from a running floater by Frey and two James freebies. With only two minutes remaining in the half Bluffton had crawled back to make it just a two-point game (22-20). Adrian then finished the half with an 11-2 run, making it 33-22 Bulldogs at the break.
The Beavers went on a quick 6-0 jag to open the second stanza with made baskets by Frey, James and Ketner. Bluffton kept the momentum going as the home team continued the run and outscored Adrian 14-4 with points coming from a bevy of Beavers. At the 12-minute mark the home team fought back and took the lead thanks to an Aaron Rich bucket. Halfway through the second stanza Bluffton had all of the momentum and opened up a 48-40 lead on the strength of a Ketner corner three thanks to a dime from Davis.
At the five-minute mark Adrian had whittled the Bluffton lead back down to 54-51. Thanks to a pretty spin move and layup, Frey was able to help his team extend its lead to five points with just two and a half minutes to play. As Adrian made a couple baskets and pulled within a point, the game was hanging in the balance with just 26 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs had the ball with 11 seconds to play and a chance to win, but Bruns drew a big charge that helped seal the game despite three Bluffton turnovers in the last minute.
The Beavers were led by Rich who had his first career double-double with 15 points and a career-high 15 rebounds! Frey and Davis followed up with 10 points apiece, while Ketner added eight markers. Bruns ripped down a career-best eight boards to go along with his career-high six points.
Bluffton went 22-of-54 from the field for a 40.7 percent, edging out Adrian's 22-of-63 for 34.9 percent. The Beavers relied on their stingy defense to reel in eight steals for the game. The home team hit 15-of-20 (75 percent) from the line, but struggled to a 2-of-16 (12.5 percent) performance from distance. Adrian pulled down two more rebounds (39-37) and turned it over one more time (13-12).
As the Bluffton men stand 1-0 on the season, Adrian fell to 0-3. Per the schedule, now the men are not slated to play until Thursday, Dec. 10 (7 p.m.) when they will host Adrian again right back at the Sommer Center. Check the website for regularly for updates related to Bluffton Men's Basketball and all Beaver athletics!
-BEAVERS-
Photo used with story is a file photo from the 2019-20 season for those wondering about mask wearing.