By: Colton Steiner

FRANKLIN, Ind.- The Bluffton University men's basketball squad hit the road to take on the Franklin College Grizzlies in an HCAC battle on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025. Franklin was able to ride a quick start in the first half and the Grizzlies did not look back, knocking off Bluffton 85-64. The loss dropped the Beavers to a record of 3-11 on the season with a 2-5 conference mark, while Franklin improved to 6-1 in the HCAC and 10-4 overall.

Both teams would open up the contest exchanging baskets, but back-to-back makes from behind the arc for the Grizzlies put them up 13-6 entering the first media timeout. Cam Rogers (Cincinnati/Cincinnati Christian) was able to score three consecutive points with a layup and a free throw to cut the deficit down to 13-9 with 14:15 left to play in the half. Franklin would answer with vengence, scoring 16 unanswered points before a Luke Beyke (St. Henry) jumper ended the run to make it 29-11 with 7:35 left on the clock. Sihr Sumner (Delaware/Rutherford B. Hayes) would follow this up with a triple, cutting the deficit to 15 points. The two teams went back and forth to close out the half as the Grizzlies went into the break with a 37-23 lead.

Franklin kicked off the second half with a 7-2 run before a William Layfield (West Chester/Lakota West) three brought the score to 44-28 with 16:50 left in regulation. The deficit stayed under 20 until the 6:19 mark when a Grizzly deep ball extended the home team's lead to 67-47. Despite six consecutive makes from the charity stripe for the Beavers, they were unable to cut the Franklin lead until Nevin Robson (Kenton/Hardin Northern) drained a triple, making it 75-58 with 4:12 remaining in the game. Bluffton was unable to get any closer as the Grizzlies capped off their 85-64 victory. 

The three-point line was a major factor in the contest with Franklin knocking down 10-of-20 (50 percent) from behind the arc, while the Beavers only connected on 22.7 percent (5-of-22) of their shots from deep. For the game, Bluffton managed to make 22-of-58 (37.9 percent) from the field, while the Grizzlies converted on a respectable 48.1 percent (26-of-54). Bluffton would edge out Franklin in the battle of the boards, 33-32, but 15 turnovers proved costly as the home team fashioned a 10-point advantage in points off turnovers.

Scoring a team-high 21 ponts for the Beavers was Nevin Robson who also snagged six rebounds and dished out three assists. Cam Rogers added nine counters with seven boards, while Luke Beyke netted eight in the game.

Bluffton will be on the road once again when the Beavers travel to Earlham on Wednesday, Jan. 15, with tipoff set for 7:30 p.m. in Richmond, Ind.

-BEAVERS-