By: Nathan Zuercher, sports information assistant

BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Beavers outlasted the Yellow Jackets for the second straight night with a 69-60 win on Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. Bluffton moved to a perfect 5-0 on the season, while Defiance stands 0-2.

The Beavers started slowly in the first half, falling behind by eight. Things started to change when senior Aaron Rich (Greenville) began to heat up. Rich was 5-of-8 from the field in the first half with 10 points and he also pulled down five rebounds. Fellow senior Dezman Brown (Elyria) got involved in the action, knocking down two threes on three attempts while scoring six points in the half.

Right before the intermission, junior Jameel Cosby (Kenton Ridge/Springfield) gave the Beavers momentum with his second steal and layup of the game, giving him six in the first half as Bluffton took a 28-27 lead at the break.

The second half was a grind for the Beavers but they powered through. Cosby kept on pace, scoring 12 for Bluffton as well as dishing out two assists. Standout sophomore Mike Ketner (Minster) got hot late in the game, scoring 10 on 4-of-6 from the field. Brown did what he has done for four years now, making big shots, including two from downtown for eight counters in the half. The Beavers held on for the 69-60 victory.

Bluffton's outstanding backcourt duo of Cosby and Brown led the way with 18 and 14, respectively. Ketner and Rich both added 12 with Rich pulling down eight boards for the Beavers. Ronnie James (Cleveland/Benedictin) had six points and two assists while his tough defense at the end of the game was instrumental in the victory. Cosby blocked a career-high three shots for the victors.

The Beavers shot 48.1 percent (26-of-54) from the field, compared to Defiance's 45.3 percent (24-of-53). While both teams did not shoot particularly well from deep, the Beavers converted 6-of-20 for 30 percent, besting the Yellow Jackets' 20 percent.

Bluffton returns to action with a trip to Earlham College on Friday, Jan. 22, Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. in Richmond, Ind., following the womens' matchup with the Quakers.

-BEAVERS-