February 7, 2001

Bluffton College suffered an 88-65 loss at Heartland Conference rival Manchester Wednesday night. BC is now 5-5 in the HCAC and 14-7 overall and will host their final three remaining regular season games, beginning on Saturday against Thomas More College at 3:00 p.m. in Founders Hall. The game will be preceded by the Alumni Game at 1:00 p.m.

Manchester shot 59% from the floor in the first half and jumped out to a 46-32 halftime lead. The Spartans were able to keep Bluffton from mounting a second half comeback by shooting 60% in the final 20 minutes of play, while at the same time holding BC to a 26% shooting clip.

Bluffton junior Travis Elsass (Wapakoneta/Jackson Center) led the Beavers with 20 points, while senior Ben Coole (Butler/Clear Fork) added 16 points but was held to just one rebound. Junior Rod Overmyer collected 15 points but was held to one 3-pointer in the contest.

Bluffton connected on 24 of 28 free throw attempts and tied a season low with just eight turnovers in the contest.

Manchester, ranked #6 in the latest NCAA Midwest Region Coaches' Poll, placed six players in double figures, led by Yul Lee with 15 points. The Spartans improve to 15-6 overall and 6-4 in the HCAC.

-BEAVERS-