RICHMOND, Ind. - The Earlham College men's basketball team doubled up Bluffton 38-19 in the first half en route to an 86-62 win over the Beavers on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024. Bluffton fell to 5-11 overall and 1-8 in the Heartland Conference, while the home Quakers improved to 2-14 and 2-7 in the HCAC.

The visitors managed just four points over the first four minutes before a four-point spurt from Cam Rogers (Cincinnati/Christian) made it 18-8 midway through the first half. Five Matt Ray (Indianapolis, Ind./Herron) markers and four Nevin Robson (Kenton/Hardin Northern) freebies had the deficit at 13, but Earlham scored 10 over the final 3:22 to open a 38-19 spread at the break.

Earlham kept its foot on the gas, going up 56-26 just over five minutes into the second half. The Quakers continued their onslaught, pushing the lead to 84-43 at the 4:08 mark. Sophomore Josh Crusey (Piqua) had it going late in the game, scoring nine points on two triples and a 3-of-3 trip to the line, as the Beavers made the final score 86-62.

Crusey was a perfect 3-of-3 from distance and 3-of-3 at the line for a career-high 12 points. Michael Stammen (Versailles) hit 5-of-9 from the field for 12 counters. Robson added eight markers, four rebounds and two assists.

Bluffton struggled to a 22-of-71 (31 percent) night from the field, including 8-for-29 (27.6 percent) outside the arc. Earlham pulled down four more rebounds (42-38), but the Quakers turned it over two more times (11-9). The home team was a solid 35-of-65 (53.8 percent) from the field.

The Bluffton men hit the road again on Saturday, Jan. 20, when they travel to Rose-Hulman in Terre Haute, Ind., for a 3 p.m. tip with the Fightin' Engineers.

-BEAVERS-