Sports Information Staff Report
January 4, 2005
The Bluffton University men's basketball team (6-4) hosted the McDonald's of Bluffton Holiday tournament on Dec. 29-30. The Beavers won their opening round contest 82-78 over Denison University to play in the championship final. The championship game netted Bluffton with the tournament win as they defeated Lake Erie College 61-59.
BLUFFTON UNIVERSITY 82, DENISON UNIVERSITY 78
The Bluffton University men's basketball team (5-4) defeated Denison University (3-7) 82-78 in the opening round of the McDonald's of Bluffton Holiday Tournament on Dec. 29.
The contest started off slow for Bluffton as they found themselves down by five points (16-11) at the 12 minute mark in the first half. The Beavers fought back the entire period as they tied the game four times in the first half alone. At halftime the score would be Denison 37, Bluffton 35.
The second half found the Big Red up by 10 points 68-58 with seven minutes left in the game. Bluffton used quick plays and foul shots to come back within five (75-70) with three minutes left. Senior Nathan Chivington (Trenton/Miami East) then connected on four straight foul shots to put the Beavers down by only two (75-73). Chivington then quenched the deal when he hit a layup with 1:57 left in the game to put Bluffton up 79-76. The Beavers held on to their lead over the next two minutes to come out with the win 82-78.
Junior Scott Bergman (Elmore/Woodmore) led the team with 20 points and nine rebounds. Sophomore Michael Anthony (Ohio City/Delphos St. John's) connected on 17 points and seven rebounds. Sophomore David Patch (Minster/Minster) finished the night with 11 points. Sophomore Eric Schwieterman (St. Henry/St. Henry) led Bluffton with nine assists. Chivington finished the game with a career-high nine points.
For the contest the Beavers shot 50 percent (29-of-58) to the Big Red's 54 percent (30-of-55). Denison grabbed down 36 rebounds to Bluffton's 27 rebounds.
BLUFFTON UNIVERSITY 61, LAKE ERIE COLLEGE 59
The Bluffton University men's basketball team (6-4) defeated Lake Erie College in the championship game of the McDonald's of Bluffton Holiday tournament, 61-59.
Junior Scott Bergman (Elmore/Woodmore) led Bluffton with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists. For his efforts, Bergman was named the most valuable player of the tournament. He totaled 37 points, 13 rebounds, seven assists and four steals in the two tournament games.
Senior Bryce Beilharz (Bluffton/Cory-Rawson) recorded a career high 15 points, four rebounds and two assists in the final game. Beilharz totaled 19 points, three assists and four rebounds for the tournament to be named to the all-tournament team.
Junior Eric Sweet (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) added 10 points and a team high 8 rebounds against Lake Erie. Sophomore Michael Anthony (Ohio City/Delphos St. John's) contributed seven points, five rebounds and four assists in the tournament finale.
With great defense and clutch shooting by both teams the score was close the entire contest as neither team led by more than nine points in the game. Lake Erie led Bluffton from the eight minute mark in the first half until two minutes left in the contest, when Bergman hit a pair of foul shots to let Bluffton take the lead, 60-59. Bergman's three free throws in the last two minutes along with a stellar defensive effort by the team clinched the tournament win, 61-59.
LEADING THE BEAVERS ON THE SEASON
Junior Scott Bergman leads all scoring for the Beavers and currently ranks second in the Heartland Conference with 194 total points (19.4 ppg average). Bergman also leads the team in steals with 20 and ranks third in the conference, averaging two steals a game. Junior Eric Sweet averages 11.2 points per game which places him at second on the squad and 17th in the HCAC. Sweet posts 19 blocks and 52 rebounds (18 offensive, 34 defensive) to lead Bluffton and rank second in the conference in blocked shots and 13th in rebounds. Sophomore Michael Anthony posts 106 points for the year (10.6 ppg average) to round off the players who average 10 or more points per game. Sophomore Eric Schwieterman leads Bluffton in assists with 30 for the year.
THIS WEEK FOR BLUFFTON UNIVERSITY
The men's team will open the Heartland Conference season with two road games this week. On Wednesday, Jan. 5, the team will travel to Manchester College for a 7:30 p.m. tip off. The Beavers then travel to Hanover College this Saturday, Jan. 8. Game time for the Hanover contest is scheduled for 3 p.m. Both contests will be carried live by 107.1 FM WDOH. You can also access the games at www.wdoh.com.