By: Jordon Bruner, sports information assistant
February 3, 2007
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's basketball team, behind the scoring of MIKE ANTHONY (Ohio City/Delphos St. John's), pulled away late in the game to bring home a 77-68 victory over HCAC foe Anderson University on February 3, 2007. Anthony scored 19 of his game-high 28 points in the second half, helping Bluffton move into sole possession of the Heartland Conference lead with an 8-4 mark in conference play, 16-5 overall.
Anderson held the Beavers scoreless for the first three minutes of the second half to grab a 43-42 lead. The two teams traded baskets for the next six minutes before Anthony put Bluffton on his back.
Junior NATE OVERMYER (Payne/Wayne Trace) dished out three consecutive assists to Anthony as Bluffton grabbed its first lead since the beginning of the second half. Anthony scored eight points over the next 1:30, pushing the Beavers to a 57-55 lead.
Anderson came right back, as a Brandon Coffer layup tied the game up at 57. Sophomore COLT CUNNINGHAM (Powell/Worthington Christian) then keyed an 8-0 run by Bluffton as the Beavers grabbed a commanding 65-57 lead.
Anthony continued to stay hot as his seven points over the last four minutes of the game helped Bluffton close out a 77-68 victory.
The Ravens jumped out to an early 10-4 behind some hot shooting. RYAN FULTZ and NICK COCHRAN each knocked down treys for Anderson.
Bluffton tied the game three minutes later when ZACK KRAUS (Findlay/Findlay) scored on a dish from RICKY REUCHER (Toledo/Central Catholic) to make the score 10-10.
Anderson continued to stay hot from the beyond the arc as another three-pointer by Fultz helped key a 10-2 run which gave the Ravens a 20-12 advantage.
Once again, the Beavers worked their way back into the game, scoring on six of their next seven possessions to grab their first lead of the game. Two free throws by ERIC SCHWIETERMAN(St. Henry/St. Henry) capped off a 15-4 jag over that span, giving Bluffton a 27-24 advantage with just under seven minutes to go in the half.
Overmyer took a pass from TOM HEIL (Akron/Stow-Archbishop Hoban) and knocked down a trey which gave Bluffton a 40-33 lead with just over a minute in the half. The Ravens came right back as VYNSYNT VANN and Fultz scored the last five points of the half, helping Anderson close the gap to 40-38 heading into the break.
Bluffton had only two players reach double digits, but it did put ten players in the scoring column as the team finished the game shooting an amazing 55 percent from the field. The Beavers held Anderson to 36 percent shooting from the field in the second half and out-rebounded the Ravens, 35-21, on the night. Bluffton also dished out a season-high 24 assists in the victory.
Anthony was 10-of-13 from the field, including a perfect 4-of-4 from beyond the arc, while also pulling down five rebounds. NICK WILSON (Continental/Continental) was the only other Beaver to reach double figures, scoring 12 points on the night and grabbing six boards. Junior P.J. JUENGER (Loveland/Archbishop Moeller) dropped in eight points to go along with his game-high seven rebounds, while Kraus and Overmyer each had career-highs in assists with six and five respectively. Sophomore AARON TAYLOR (Antwerp/Antwerp) chipped in with nine points.
The Beavers return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 7, when they welcome the Manchester College Spartans to Founders Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
-BEAVERS-