January 12, 2002
Bluffton College mounted a thrilling comeback in the final three minutes of the game against Transylvania University in Founders Hall Saturday afternoon, but the visiting Pioneers pulled out a 64-61 victory to deny BC their first Heartland Conference win of the season.
The Beavers led for most of the first half and the score stood tied at 28-28 at halftime, but Transy outscored Bluffton 17-4 to start the second half to take a 13-point lead.
That lead would grow to 14 points and was 12 points with less than five minutes to play when Bluffton's defensive pressure led to a 12-1 run that senior Rod Overmyer capped off with a 3-pointer with 32 ticks left on the clock that brought the score to within one point at 62-61 in favor of Transy.
Junior Derek DeNero stole a TU pass and went in for what appeared to be the go-ahead basket, but he was whistled for a charging foul and the Pioneers sank both free throw attempts to take a three point lead with 14 seconds left. Bluffton was unable to get a 3-point attempt off in their final possession.
Transy held Bluffton to a season-low 34% shooting effort from the field, but the Beavers took a 38-32 advantage on the boards and caused 19 Pioneer turnovers compared to 16 that they committed themselves.
DeNero led Bluffton with 17 points and tied for the team-lead with eight rebounds. Overmyer, who scored Bluffton's first nine points of the game, finished with 15 points and eight boards.
Freshman Brad Boyles chipped in 11 points.
Transy sophomore Andrew Coyle scored a game-high 26 points, 13 points more than his average, and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. He scored 16 of Transy's first 17 points in the game.
The Pioneers snap an 11-game losing streak despite shooting just 43% from the free throw line in the game. Transy is now 2-11 overall and 1-5 in the HCAC.
These two teams will meet again in Lexington, Kentucky on February 9.
Bluffton (7-9, 0-6) will travel to Defiance College on Wednesday night at 7:30. WDOH 107.1 FM will broadcast the game live.