By: Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant
ANDERSON, Ind. – The Bluffton University men's basketball squad fell in an HCAC matchup with the reigning conference tournament champions, Anderson University, on Saturday, Dec. 9, with a final score of 81-61. The Beavers dipped to 2-5 on the year and 0-3 against conference opponents. The Ravens continued their successful early season as they improved to 6-2 and 2-1 in Heartland Conference play.
Anderson started the game scorching hot, jumping out to a quick 12-0 lead, going up early and never falling behind. Connor Martin (Holland/Springfield) broke the seal for Bluffton, tossing a pair of gimmes at the free throw line. Matt Ray (Indianapolis/Herron) and Cam Rogers (Cincinnati/Cincinnati Christian) teamed up for eight straight Beaver counters.
Later in the half, Ray converted on a very difficult up and under layup as the visitors trailed 32-18 with 6:34 remaining in the opening stanza. With just over a minute remaining in the first half, William Layfield (West Chester/Lakota West) and Dawson Troyer (Apple Creek/Waynedale) sparked up their offense from long range, spraying three straight trifectas to close out the period as Bluffton cut the lead to 11 points, 44-33.
Troyer continued his great night with a one-dribble pull up jumper to start the second frame. Ray followed with a trey that drew the visitors within six points, and the smallest lead of the night for AU. Anderson would end the game on a 37-23 run for its 20-point victory. Despite an old-fashioned three-point play by Myles Thomas (Chicago, Ill./Leo) and a smooth reverse from Josh Crall (Bucyrus/Wynford), the Beavers were not able to mount a comeback, falling 81-61 on Saturday.
Ray matched his career-high with 17 tallies, leading the visitors in scoring. Rogers finished with his second double-double, scoring 11 points and coming down with a career-high 12 rebounds! Troyer scored eight points off the bench.
Bluffton was shaky from the field, going 22-of-63 (34.9 percent) and 7-for-24 (29.2 percent) from distance. The visitors had a perfect night at the line, going 10-of-10! The Ravens connected on 29-of-66 (43.9 percent) and also did not miss at the foul stripe, going 15-of-15. Anderson pulled down 13 more rebounds (45-32) and dished out 10 more assists (18-8) than the Beavers.
The Bluffton men have a week of practice before hopping on the bus again to face off against Denison University on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 1 p.m., followed by three straight home games!
-BEAVERS-