By: Nathan Zeurcher, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men welcomed Mount St. Joseph on Friday, Feb. 5, for a matchup with the Lions. The Beavers held on for a 57-52 win, keeping the home team undefeated with a 10-0 mark to start the season.
Bluffton jumped out to the quick lead when senior point guard Ronnie James (Benedictine/Cleveland) got into the paint for an easy deuce. James made a serious difference in the first half, scoring nine points while shooting 50 percent from the field. While his offense was key for the Beavers, his defense was just as critical, frustrating the opposing guards as he drew a big charge midway through the opening stanza.
Standout backcourt mates Dezman Brown (Elyria) and Jameel Cosby (Kenton Ridge/Springfield) were their normal selves during the first 20 minutes. Brown scored 10 on a perfect 4-of-4 from the field, including two treys from deep. Cosby showed his dual threat ability, scoring six points and skying for five boards. The men held a slim 27-26 lead at the half squad lead over the Lions 27-26 at the half despite being outscored 12-2 over the last five minutes of half number one.
In the second, Brown and Cosby stayed right on pace for the Beavers. Brown added another eight, missing just one shot for the entire game. Cosby matched his first half scoring total with another half-dozen points while ripping down an impressive seven rebounds. Aaron Rich (Greenville), who was quiet in the first half, got warmed up in the second, scoring six points in the paint and he added seven boards. The Beavers held firm, drawing a charge with 42 seconds remaining in a three-point game. Brown's jumper with 15 ticks remaining sealed the 57-52 defensive battle.
The double-digit scorers for the Beavers were Brown (18), James (career-high 13), and Cosby (12). Cosby fashioned his second career double-double with a team-high 12 boards! Senior center Rich dished out a team-high four assists.
Bluffton ripped down 10 more rebounds (33-23), but the Beavers also turned it over five more times (13-8). The Beavers were solid from the field (25-of-49) at 51.0 percent, and they lit it up (7-of-13) for 53.8 percent from distance. MSJ took the bench points by a 12-3 margin.
The Beavers are back in action tomorrow at Mount St. Joseph for the rematch. Tip-off from Cincinnati is slated for 4 p.m.
-BEAVERS-
