By Molly Burnell, sports information director assistant
November 22, 2005

The Bluffton University men's basketball team (1-0) defeated Earlham College 72-62 in the 2005-06 season opener in Founders Hall. 

Senior Scott Bergman (Elmore/Woodmore) led the Beavers with 28 points, nine rebounds and two assists on the evening. Eric Sweet (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) scored 20 points, pulled down a team-high ten rebounds and blocked five shots in the contest. Junior Tom Heil (Stow/Archbishop Hoban) dished out a team-high five assists, scored six points and had two rebounds. 

Bluffton got off to a rocky start as the Quakers scored the first ten points of the game to take a 10-0 lead over the Beavers at the 17-minute mark. A Bergman jumper and free throw finally broke the ice for Bluffton. Earlham controlled most of the first half leading by as many as 14 points at one time.  The Beavers battled back and a Sweet layup knotted the game at 20 with seven minutes to play.  Earlham held on as it took a 36-35 lead into half time. 

The Beavers played strong in the second half and took a 41-40 lead at the 17 minute mark in the second period. Bluffton led the remainder of the contest as key shots and tight defense rallied the Beavers to a 72-62 victory over previously undefeated Earlham. Bluffton shot 42 percent from the field compared to the Quakers 43 percent for the game. Bluffton connected on eight of 18 3-point shots, including five from Bergman, and grabbed 33 rebounds. 

Bluffton will be back in action on Saturday, November 26 as they travel to Heidelberg College. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.

-BEAVERS-