January 13, 2001


For the second game in a row Bluffton College knocked off the Heartland Conference's top team as BC topped Hanover College 82-77 Saturday afternoon in Founders Hall. 

Bluffton improves to 10-4 overall and 2-2 in the HCAC, while Hanover suffers their first league loss after three straight wins and just their second loss of the season to see their record slip to 13-2 overall.

Hanover took a 49-42 halftime lead by Bluffton outscored the visiting Panthers 40-28 in the second half. BC allowed just 11 points over the final 10:30 of the game.

Hanover entered the game ranked fourth in the latest Columbus Multimedia Midwest Region Poll and was ranked in the nation in rebounding margin. Bluffton outrebounded the Panthers 34-28 and converted 22 of 25 attempts at the free throw line.

Bluffton senior Ben Coole (Butler/Clear Fork) who scored 34 points in Bluffton's win over Manchester Wednesday night, led the Beavers with 24 points, while junior Rod Overmyer (Payne/Wayne Trace) scored 20 and junior Travis Elsass (Wapakoneta/Jackson Center) scored 18. 

Hanover's Joe Neuman led the Panthers with 20 points.

Bluffton will be on the road for their next four games before returning to Founders Hall on January 31 against Mount St. Joseph.