Takayla Gadberry, sports information alumna
BLUFFTON, OH – The Bluffton University men's basketball team came up short against Denison University in their season opener on Friday, Nov. 11. The Beavers dropped a 66-42 decision and fell to 0-1 on the season while Denison improved to 1-1.
The Beavers and the Big Red battled it out with a close 9-8 score in favor of the Beavers at the 12-minute mark of the first half. A Kegan Owen (Indianapolis, IN/Greenwood) trifecta followed by jump shots from Brady Wheeler (Lima/Shawnee) and Cam Rogers (Cincinnati/Cincinnati Christian) gave the home team a 16-8 lead. Two makes from distance and a layup for Denison closed their gap to two (18-16) before another triple and a tip-in gave the visitors a 27-24 advantage going into the half.
A 20-2 run for the Big Red pushed the spread to 47-26 mid-way through the second half. A handful of Beaver deuces followed by another Owen three-pointer pulled Bluffton within 60-38 at the 2:53 mark. Two more layups from Owen and William Layfield (West Chester/Lakota West) added to the Beaver tallies but it wouldn't be enough as Denison secured the 66-42 victory.
Owen powered the Beaver offense with 13 points. Nevin Robson (Kenton/Hardin Northern) was two off his pace with 11 on the board and snagged a game-high four steals. Fellow freshman JD Stokes (West Harrison, IN/Franklin County) was the defensive powerhouse, pulling down five rebounds. Connor Martin (Holland/Springfield) and Owen each added four boards to their stat lines.
Bluffton hit 19-of-49 (38.8 percent) from the field, but just a paltry 2-of-12 (16.7 percent) from beyond the arc. The home team knocked down 2-of-4 (50 percent) at the charity stripe. Denison pulled down 12 more rebounds (36-24) while both teams finished with nine steals. The visitors ended with a 30-24 edge in the paint.
The Beavers welcome Heidelberg on Wednesday, Nov. 16 for a home matchup with the Student Princes. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Sommer Center. Go Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
