By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant
November 16, 2013

JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - The Bluffton University men's basketball team was the victim of a late-game run and fell to the Illinois College Blueboys, 87-82, on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. The home team was able to close the game on a 6-0 spurt to earn the victory over the Beavers, who fell to 1-1 on the season.

Following a basket by sophomore BILLY TAFLINGER (Lima/Central Catholic) to open the game, the Blueboys responded with a 9-2 spurt to take a 9-4 lead. Illinois College led by as many as eight during the first half as the teams continued to exchange baskets.

The Blueboys went up 27-21 at the nine-minute mark of the first half before BROCK HOMIER(Continental) drained a big three-point shot, followed by a deuce from THAYNE RECKER(Arlington) to pull the Beavers within one. Following a Blueboy three, NATE CHAMBERS (Miamisburg) responded with a deep ball before a pair of freebies from junior RYAN EBBESKOTTE(Delphos/Jefferson) gave the Beavers their first lead of the contest, 31-30, at the 6:36 mark. It remained a one-score game with each team exchanging the lead as the Blueboys went to the locker room with a 47-46 lead.

The home team started the second stanza with a 15-6 run which pushed its lead to double digits at the 13:24 mark. The Beavers would respond with a jumper from Ebbeskotte, a free throw from Recker, and back-to-back deuces by WILL POPE (Somerville/Preble Shawnee) for a 7-0 run over the next 2:02 to cut the Illinois lead to three.

Illinois College extended the lead to eight with 8:08 left in the contest before the Beavers would go on another push. Seven points from Recker and four from Pope powered an 11-0 run that gave the Beavers an 80-77 advantage with 4:40 to play.

Back-to-back layups from the Blueboys made the score 81-80 with 3:44 remaining. Another deuce by Recker would give the visitors the lead once again at 82-81. However, the Blueboys would end the contest on a 6-0 run to earn an 87-82 victory over the Beavers.

Bluffton was led by sophomore big man Thayne Recker who tallied a career-best 25 points, on 10-of-14 shooting, and five boards off the bench. Will Pope chipped in 19 points and eight rebounds, while sophomore Brock Homier added a career-high 17 points thanks to 5-of-8 shooting from distance. The home team was led by BRANDON BERRY and NATHAN KOHLER who scored 24 and 23 points, respectively.

The Beavers shot a stellar 55 percent from the field (33-of-60) and 47 percent (7-of-15) from beyond the arc. The Blueboys hit 49 percent (32-of-66) from the field and 36 percent (10-of-28) from deep. The Blueboys drained 93 percent (13-of-14) at the stripe, while the Beavers hit just 56 percent (9-of-16). Illinois College won the war on the glass by a convincing 39-30 margin despite the scoring success of Bluffton's big men. Pope and Recker were both named to the Illinois College All-Tournament Team.

The Beavers will return to action for their home opener as they battle the OSU-Mansfield Mavericks on Copeland Court in the Sommer Center. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. Come support your Beavers!

-BEAVERS-