December 16, 2013

BLUFFTON, Ohio - THAYNE RECKER (Arlington) was recently named the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Week for his work at Anderson on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013. In Bluffton's only action of the week due to finals, the 6-5 sophomore led the Beavers to an 89-79 win over the Ravens.

Recker, who was a blistering 11-of-13 from the field for a career-high 28 points, helped the visitors dominate the key with 62 points in the paint. Bluffton attempted just four triples as DUSTIN KINN (Alvada/New Riegel) and WILL POPE (Somerville/Preble Shawnee) bucketed 17 points apiece while going 15-for-19 from the field. Recker is the first Bluffton men's basketball player to be named HCAC Player of the Week since Dustin Kinn was honored following week one of the 2011-12 campaign.

The Bluffton men are currently tops in the HCAC and fifth in the country with a 53.8 field goal percentage (261-of-485). Recker's 72.1 field percentage is sixth in the country and number 1 in the Heartland Conference. Kinn is currently second in the HCAC and Will Pope is fourth as the Beavers again occupy three of the top four spots in the conference. Bluffton is also third in the country with 21.8 assists per game and a 2.07 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Next up for the Beavers is a date with OSU-Lima in the opening round of the McDonald's of Bluffton and Monsanto Holiday Tournament. Bluffton is slated to tip at 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 29, following the women's tournament final.

-BEAVERS-