December 29, 2006
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's basketball team took control of the game from the start as they cruised to a 94-59 win over Wright State-Lake on Friday, December 29, 2006. The Beavers used excellent shooting and stifling defense to earn a matchup against UC Clermont College in the championship game of the McDonald's of Bluffton Holiday Tournament. Bluffton improved to 10-1 overall with its ninth consecutive victory, while Wright State-Lake dropped to 6-11 on the season.
The Beavers jumped out to a 10-4 lead less than five minutes into the game as junior NATE OVERMYER (Payne/Wayne Trace) knocked down a three-pointer.
Several minutes later, Wright State-Lake jumped back into the game when Nate Barhorst keyed a Lakers' surge to pull within two, 15-13.
Senior MIKE ANTHONY (Ohio City/Delphos St. Johns) scored five points in Bluffton's 8-0 run as the Beavers pushed their lead to 10 points, 23-13.
Bluffton ended the half on a 16-4 run to take a commanding 43-26 lead heading into the break. The Beavers shot 45 percent from the field in the first half (6-of-10 from beyond the arc), as nine players broke into the scoring column during the opening period, including 12 points from Anthony.
Balanced scoring helped the Beavers start the second half in the same way they ended the first. Bluffton came racing out of the break on a 20-6 jag to grab a 29-point lead with 12 minutes left in the contest. Six points by junior P.J. JUENGER (Loveland/Moeller) and five from sophomore COLT CUNNINGHAM (Powell/Worthington Christian) during that span helped pave the way for Bluffton's victory.
A late run by Wright State-Lake made the final score 94-59, reducing a Bluffton lead that reached its zenith at 42 points.
Bluffton continued to spread the ball around as 14 players scored in the game. The team shot an amazing 64 percent from the field in the second half and ended up shooting 33-of-61 (54 percent) for the game. The Beavers knocked down 9-of-19 shots from outside the arc for 47 percent and 19-of-23 at the charity stripe (83 percent). Bluffton put together a 44-31 advantage on the glass in the victory.
Anthony led the way with 13 points, while Overmyer and Cunningham reached double digits as well with 11 and 10 respectively. Juenger and sophomore NICK WILSON (Payne/Continental) each added nine for the Beavers. Senior RICKY REUCHER (Toledo/Central Catholic) ripped down a career-high eight rebounds and ERIC SCHWIETERMAN (St. Henry/St. Henry) led the Beavers with four assists.
Bluffton is scheduled to face Clermont College on Saturday, December 30, in the championship game of the McDonald's of Bluffton Holiday Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.
-BEAVERS-