By: Nathan Zuercher, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio – The Bluffton University men's team moved to 2-0, scratching out a close win against the Adrian College Bulldogs on Friday, Dec. 11, winning 72-71. The Beavers came out on fire in the first, scoring 49 points on 54.1 percent shooting from the field, including a staggering 46.2 percent from behind the arc.
The charge in the first stanza was led to no one's surprise by junior Jameel Cosby (Springfield/Kenton Ridge). He scored 14 first-half points with 12 of them from behind the arc where he was a perfect 4-for-4. Backcourt partner Marcus Bruns (Coldwater) also added eight in the first 20 minutes.
Two underclassmen stepped up near the end of the half in their own unique ways. Sophomore Mike Ketner (Minster) tossed in a dozen first-half points, looking very comfortable coming off the bench. He shot 2-of-6 from distance, netting a big one with 37 seconds left in the half. Standout sophomore big man AJ Kenney (Marion/River Valley) looked explosive after a very productive offseason. He added in four points and had a nice dish for a hoop-and-harm to senior forward Aaron Rich (Greenville) who contributed nine of his own first-half points to go along with five rebounds. The Beavers opened a comfortable 49-37 lead at the half.
As the second period started, the Beavers' hot shooting cooled down considerable. They converted only 29.0 percent from the field with a mere 22.2 percent from behind the 3-point line. The Beavers were led in scoring by 2018-19 HCAC Defensive Player of the Year Dezman Brown (Elyria). While Dez was 0-for-1 from deep in the first half, he turned it around in the second, draining 3-of-6. And no shot was bigger than the one he took from four steps behind the arc with 17 seconds left to give the Beavers a 72-70 lead. Bluffton survived the last 15 seconds to pick up a 72-71 win over the visitors.
The five double-digit scorers were Cosby (17), Brown (13), Ketner (12), Rich (11) and Bruns (10). Kenney dumped in nine as well with five rebounds. Rich led the team with eight caroms, two shy of his second double-double in as many games. Senior Ronnie James (Cleveland/Benedictine) and Brown both had four assists, while Brown also picked off two steals. The home team had no answer for Adrian junior Kendall Bellamy who hit 13-of-21 from the field for a game-high 30 points.
The Beavers shot 42.6 percent from the field, compared to Adrian's red-hot 59.2 percent (29-of-49). Bluffton pulled down eight more rebounds (34-26) than the Bulldogs, including a 15-2 edge on the offensive glass which helped the home team to a 21-2 advantage in second chance points. The Beavers were superb with the basketball in their hands, turning it over just four times. Bluffton also outscored Adrian 20-5 off turnovers and 21-5 for the bench.
Bluffton hosts the Bulldogs again tomorrow afternoon (Saturday, Dec. 12) for a 3 p.m. rematch.
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