Posted: Dec 09, 2009
December 9, 2009
By: Evan Miller, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's basketball team fell to the Anderson University Ravens by a score of 68-47 on Wednesday, December 9, 2009. The loss dropped Bluffton's record to 0-8 overall and 0-3 in the HCAC, while Anderson improved to 6-1 and a perfect 3-0 in the HCAC.
Off of an Anderson missed three-pointer, the Beavers got the first bucket of the game when JORDAN POTHAST (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) converted a layup for an early 2-0 advantage. Anderson quickly found its offensive stride, tying the game at four with an ANDREW BOWMAN layup at the 17:24 mark.
The Beavers opened a two-point advantage with a JOSH EICHAR (North Baltimore) jumper from NICK LEE (Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue), making the score 8-6 with 15:15 left in the first half. Bluffton held its last lead following a BRENT FARLEY (Lima/Shawnee) layup which made the score 10-7.
Anderson's GABE MILLER drained a three-ball with 12:53 on the clock, giving the Ravens a two-point lead, 12-10, which they never relinquished. The visitors pushed the lead to seven (17-10) at the 11:40 mark when ANDREW JONES took advantage of a Bluffton turnover. At the 7:01 mark, Andrew Bowman extended the Anderson lead to eight points, 26-18, with a layup thanks to the assist from TY RIDDLE.
The Beavers tried to get back into the game at the end of the first half, but Anderson's offense proved to be too much to overcome. Nick Lee hooked up with Jordan Pothast for a three-pointer, trimming the deficit to 28-23 with 5:05 left before the half. To close out the first, the Ravens went on a 12-6 run for a 40-29 lead at the break.
Anderson continued its offensive surge right out of the gates in the second half, stifling Bluffton's hope for a comeback. Ty Riddle nailed a jumper at the 18:56 mark to push Anderson's lead to 42-29. On Bluffton's next possession, Riddle came down with the defensive board and dished out an assist on a three pointer made by Gabe Miller.
At the 16:23 mark, Andrew Bowman converted the hoop and harm, pushing Anderson's advantage to 48-29. ROB LUDERMAN (Defiance/Ayersville) got the Beavers back in the scoring column in the second, hitting a jumper at the 15:32 mark.
Halfway through the second stanza, the Anderson advantage hit 18 points on an Andrew Jones layup, making the score 54-36 in favor of the Ravens. The deficit peaked at 28 points, 68-40, with 3:09 left in the game following a PHIL HOGAN jumper. The final points came on a pair of SCOTT SCHNIPKE (Kalida) free throws with 1:17 left on the clock, making the final score 68-47.
The Ravens shot 52.6 percent as they hit 30-of-57 from the field. The Beavers hit 42.5 percent on 17-of-40 shooting from the floor. The Ravens dominated the game inside, outscoring Bluffton in the paint, 38-18. Leading Bluffton in scoring was post man Brent Farley as he tallied 11 points. Farley also had one block and grabbed seven boards. NICK LEE (Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue) also pulled down seven caroms and handed out four assists.
For Anderson, Andrew Bowman was the high point man, scoring 16 on 7-of-10 shooting from the field. BROCK MORRISON contributed a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 10 rebounds for Anderson.
Bluffton returns to action on Saturday, December 12 when the Beavers host HCAC rival Franklin College. The tip-off in Founders Hall is scheduled for 3 p.m.
-BEAVERS-