Posted: Feb 03, 2010
February 3, 2010
By: Brandy Bidlack, sports information assistant
ANDERSON, Ind. - The Bluffton University men's team fell to the top squad in the Heartland Conference, Anderson University, 72-66 on Wednesday, February 3, 2010. The loss dropped Bluffton to 2-10 in the HCAC and 2-19 overall, while Anderson improved to 10-1 in the HCAC and 18-2 overall.
The Anderson offense started off hot with a 9-0 spurt just 3:20 into the game. 20 seconds later, sophomore guard NICK LEE (Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue) hit a jumper to spark the Beavers. Seconds after the first of two BRENT FARLEY (Lima/Shawnee) blocks in the contest, senior JOSH EICHAR (North Baltimore) drove to the hoop for a deuce which cut the deficit to five (11-6).
At the 14:23 mark Lee drained his first triple, but it wasn't until a ROB LUDERMAN(Defiance/Ayersville) hoop and harm that the Beavers took their first lead. However, the Ravens' offense continued to score as they went into the locker room with a three-point lead (38-35) over the visitors.
Bluffton struck first in the second half with a basket from Eichar before the home team went on a 10-3 run. With 9:45 remaining on the clock, a layin from Lee pulled the Beavers within one. After a jumper by ANDREW JONES, freshman JOSH FISHER (Rockford/Parkway) capitalized on an old-fashioned three-point play to tie the game at 54. Bluffton made it a one-point game (60-59) at the 4:04 mark with another Fisher hoop, but Anderson drained eight free throws down the stretch to secure a 72-66 victory over the Beavers.
Nick Lee paced the Beavers with a career-high 25 points, including four makes from beyond the arc. Lee also pulled down four boards, had two assists, and picked up two steals in the loss. Eichar finished with 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals. Fisher added 12 points and dished out five assists while Farley swatted away two shots in a foul-plagued 16 minutes of action. The Beavers ended the game shooting 24-of-56 (42.9 percent) from the field, 5-of-18 (27.8 percent) from deep and 13-of-15 (86.7 percent) at the charity stripe.
The Ravens were led by Jones with 21 points and 12 rebounds. BROCK MORRISON also put together a monster double-double with 20 points and a game-high 17 boards while teammate GABE MILLER contributed 11 points and six assists for Anderson. The home team dominated on the glass (37-24), but turned it over four more times (12-8) than the Beavers.
The Bluffton men will return to action this Saturday, February 6, when they travel to conference rival Hanover College. The showdown between the Beavers and Panthers is slated to start at 3 p.m. following the women's contest.
-BEAVERS-