Posted: Dec 29, 2009
December 29, 2009
By: Evan Miller, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's basketball team got off to a quick start in the second semifinal game of the 2009 McDonald's of Bluffton Holiday Tournament, but failed to keep their momentum, falling to UC-Clermont, 82-63. The loss dropped the Beavers to 0-11 while UC-Clermont improved to 11-5 on the season.
The Cougars made it in to the scoring column first thanks to a three-pointer by KRAIG UNGERat the 19:04 mark. The Beavers answered, claiming their first lead of the game, 4-3, on a BRENT FARLEY (Lima/Shawnee) jumper from JOSH EICHAR (North Baltimore).
Senior JORDAN POTHAST (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) hit from in close to extend Bluffton's lead to15-7 at the 12:34 mark. Three minutes later, MYCHAL HILL (London/Jon.Alder) grabbed a defensive rebound and NICK LEE (Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue) took the ball down the floor, finding Brent Farley for another jumper and 18-13 Bluffton lead.
The Cougars rallied to reclaim the lead at the 7:05 mark when Maurice McGee hit from downtown, giving UC-Clermont a slim 21-20 advantage. Bluffton then took its last lead of the game with 5:43 remaining in the first half following a Josh Eichar three from TYLER BRAIDIC(Pandora-Gilboa) which made the score 23-21.
Down three with just over two minutes remaining in the half, freshman JOSH FISHER(Rockford/Parkway) converted a layup and was fouled for the three-point play, tying the game at 28. The Beavers struggled late in the period as UC-Clermont went on a 13-2 run to close out the half and take a commanding 41-30 lead at the break.
Nick Lee came out in the second half with a hot hand, knocking down a three ball which trimmed the deficit to 41-33. The Beavers continued to strike early in the second half as Brent Farley got to the rack, pulling Bluffton within six points, 43-37.
The Cougars responded, pushing the lead back up to double-digits (49-39) as JOSE NARVAEZpicked up a steal and found TEVENN JONES for a layup at the 15:42 mark. The lead continued to grow for UC-Clermont as a Narvaez layup with 13:14 left on the clock made the score 57-41 in favor of the visitors.
After facing as much as a 24-point deficit, the Beavers cut that lead in half with one last comeback attempt. At the 5:43 mark they were down only 12 as a 17-5 jag was capped by a Brent Farley layup, making the score 70-58. The closest Bluffton would get to UC-Clermont for the rest of the game came with another Brent Farley layup from Nick Lee with 4:13 left in the contest, making it 70-60. The Cougars closed out for the 82-63 win.
The Beavers were led in scoring once again by Brent Farley who put in 20 points to go along with two blocks on the night. Also scoring in double-digits was freshman Josh Fisher with 13 and Mychal Hill with 10. Farley, Hill and Fisher each pulled down five rebounds as Bluffton came away with 30. The Beavers went to the free throw line only eight times in the game, going 6-of-8. Bluffton shot 26-of-47 for 55.3 percent from the field.
UC-Clermont was led in scoring by guard Kraig Unger who tallied 19 points. Unger also grabbed eight rebounds and three steals in the game. The Cougars hit 11-of-14 from the free throw line, and 32-for-66 from the field for 48.5 percent.
The Beavers will face Illinois College in the consolation game of the 2009 McDonald's of Bluffton Holiday Tournament on December 30 at 1 p.m. The tournament final between Goshen College and UC-Clermont will follow the consolation game.
-BEAVERS-