Sports Information Staff Report
February 21, 2005
The Bluffton University men's basketball team (13-12, 6-8 HCAC) was able to defeat longtime rival Defiance College last week, 89-66. The Beavers then dropped their second game of the week, an 83-81 overtime loss against Manchester College. This week Bluffton moves into the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament when they travel to Manchester on Tuesday, Feb. 22, for their first round match-up (7:30 p.m. tip off). The tournament game will be the third time that Bluffton has faced Manchester this season. The Beavers have dropped both HCAC contests to the Spartans this year, 63-61 and 83-81 in overtime.
Bluffton University 89, Defiance College 66
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's basketball team (13-11, 6-7 HCAC) defeated longtime rival Defiance College (10-14, 4-10 HCAC) 89-66 on Feb. 16.
Leading the Beavers with a double-double on the night was junior Eric Sweet (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) with a career-high in points (30) and a career-high in rebounds (19). Sophomore Michael Anthony (Ohio City/Delphos St. John's) and junior Scott Bergman (Elmore/Woodmore) both posted 22 points to end the double figure scoring. Anthony tied his career-high in points with 22. Sophomore Eric Schwieterman (St. Henry/St. Henry) led the team with six assists and two steals.
Both teams played extremely hard over the first half as the score was tied nine times and 21 fouls were committed. At halftime the score found Bluffton on top, 42-41 off of a quick layup by Bergman.
Starting the second half the score was deadlocked for the first seven minutes of the period. Bluffton finally broke away at the eleven minute mark as they went on a 6-0 run to lead 59-50. In the span of five minutes (13:00 to 8:06) the Beavers went on a 15-5 run to widen their lead and take the game. Bluffton would finish strong to win the contest 89-66.
Bluffton led on the boards as they pulled down 44 rebounds to Defiance's 29. The Beavers shot 47 percent (28-of-59) to the Yellow Jackets 42 percent (25-of-59).
Manchester College 83, Bluffton University 81
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's basketball team (13-12, 6-8 HCAC) was defeated 83-81 in overtime by Manchester College (14-11, 8-6 HCAC) on Feb. 19.
Junior Scott Bergman (Elmore/Woodmore) scored his 1,000th career point and posted his first career double-double as he netted 28 points and pulled down 11 rebounds (team high). Junior Eric Sweet (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) posted 15 points on the afternoon. Sophomore Michael Anthony (Ohio City/Delphos St. Johns) scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds. Junior Simeon Talley (Columbus/Centennial) rounded out double digit scoring for Bluffton as he contributed 11 points and three steals (team high). Senior Bryce Beilharz (Bluffton/Cory Rawson) led the team with five assists in his final home contest.
The Beavers and Spartans played hard in the first half as they kept the game within four points for the entire period. Two foul shots by Bergman with 16 seconds left would give Bluffton a one point halftime advantage, 33-32. The Beavers scored 15 of their 33 first half points in the period off of Manchester turnovers.
Missed shots by the Spartans and defensive rebounds by Bluffton helped the Beavers take a six point lead with twelve minutes left in the game. Manchester hit key shots in the remaining minutes to eventually tie the score and send the contest into overtime (61-61). The Spartans hit crucial buckets to lead by seven points in the extra period as Bluffton battled back and kept the contest close. Manchester's Eric Berger hit a free throw with seven seconds reaming to give the Spartans a five point lead. A three-pointer by Bergman as time ran out cut Manchester's lead to two points for the final score of 83-81.
Bluffton University shot 49 percent (30-of-61) from the field to Manchester's 40 percent (23-of-57). The Beavers pulled down 29 rebounds to Manchester's 44 boards. The Spartans committed 21 turnovers compared to Bluffton's 15.
Leading the Beavers on the season
HCAC team statistics
Bluffton currently ranks second in the HCAC in assists with 401 total on the year (16.04 per game) and fourth in steals with 197 total (7.88 per game). The Beavers rank third in blocked shots with a 2.60 per game average and fourth in 3-point field goal percentage with .368 average. The team is third in the HCAC in field goal percentages with a .459 average and third in free throw percentage (.717 percent).
Individual statistical leaders
Scott Bergman posts 21.6 points per game to lead the Heartland Conference and ranked 23rd in NCAA Division III through Feb. 13. Bergman leads the team in steals with 45 (third in HCAC) and three point field goals made with 69 (second in HCAC). Six other HCAC statistical categories find Bergman in the top twenty. Eric Sweet has totaled 297 points on the year to rank second on the team (14th in HCAC). Sweet leads the Beavers in rebounding with 152 boards (seventh in HCAC) and blocked shots with 43 on the year (second in HCAC). Sweet currently ranks sixth in the conference in field goal percentage with a .551 average. Michael Anthony tops Bluffton in free throw percentage with a .823 average and ranks fourth in the conference. Eric Schwieterman leads the Beavers in assists with 87 on the year and sits tied for second place in the HCAC.