NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The Bluffton University men's basketball team dropped an 80-64 decision in Head Coach Seth Clark's reunion at Manchester University on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023. Bluffton fell to 2-4 overall and 0-2 in the Heartland Conference, while host Manchester improved to 4-2 and 2-0 in the HCAC.

Michael Stammen (Versailles) found Connor Martin (Holland/Springfield) for a dunk less than two minutes into the game, but Manchester hit four of its first six shots for an 8-2 lead before the first media timeout was in the books. Sihr Sumner (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) knocked down a jumper and then cashed in a pair of freebies before Stammen's three-ball pulled Bluffton within two points (16-14) midway through the opening stanza.

Triples from Josh Crall (Bucyrus/Wynford), Matt Ray (Indianapolis, Ind./Herron) and William Layfield (West Chester/Lakota West) helped the Beavers stay within striking distance and then a Ray dunk beat the buzzer, making it 35-28 Manchester at the half.

Ian Snelling (Erlanger, Ky./Dixie Heights) and Ray drained triples early in the second half, but the home team continued its offensive onslaught as the Beavers were unable to get closer than 14 points over the final 13 minutes.

Ray dropped in three treys on the way to a career-high 17 points Wednesday night! Snelling was also in double figures with a dozen markers. Martin led the visitors with six rebounds and he chipped in eight counters. Stammen dished out three assists and Ray picked up three steals.

Bluffton hit 21-of-58 from the field (36.2 percent), including 8-for-25 (32 percent) outside the arc. The Beavers struggled from the line, hitting only 14-of-24 (58.3 percent), while Sparty connected on 19-of-22 (86.4 percent). Manchester pulled down four more rebounds (39-35) and the Beavers turned it over five more times (16-11).

The Bluffton men will travel to Anderson for a Beaver basketball doubleheader with the Ravens on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Game two is slated for 4 p.m. following the women's contest.

-BEAVERS-