By: Colton Steiner
HANOVER, Ind. - The Bluffton University men traveled to Indiana to face off against the Hanover Collee Panthers. The Panthers would ride a hot start and not look back as they would cruise to a 97-73 win over the Beavers to improve to 12-8 on the season and 8-5 in conference play. With this loss, Bluffton dipped to 4-16 overall and 3-10 in the HCAC.
Hanover woud jump out to a 14-2 lead in the first three minutes before Cam Rogers (Cincinnati/Cincinnati Christian) answered back with five straight to cut the deficit to seven going into the first media timeout. The two teams would exchange buckets, but the home team would stretch their lead to 25-14 with a pair of free throws at the 10:44 mark of the first half. Following an Aiden Alialy (Indianapolis, Ind./Indianapolis Lutheran) layup off a dish from Cam Rogers, the Panthers would go on a 9-1 run to extend their lead to 36-19 until it was stopped with a three from Luke Beyke (St. Henry). After exchanging buckets over the next few minutes, Hanover would get some defensive stops and close out the half outscoring Bluffton 7-2 to take a 51-32 lead at the break.
Despite the teams going back and forth to start the second stanza, Hanover would jump ahead 66-42 before Ian Snelling (Erlanger, Ky./Dixie Heights) could connect on a three. The Panthers would then go on a 10-0 spurt to push their lead to 31 with 9:09 left in regulation. Hanover continued to pour it on, downing the visitors by a 97-73 count.
The Hanover offense was hitting on all cylinders, knocking down an impressive 34-of-53 (64.2 percent) for the game and 11-of-22 (50 percent) from behind the arc. Bluffton would finish the contest shooting 47.4 percent (27-of-57) from the floor and 8-of-20 from deep. The Panthers won the battle of the boards and committed only 10 turnovers to Bluffton's 13.
Nevin Robson (Kenton/Hardin Northern) finish the day with 11 points to go along with three assists and five boards, while Caden Slusher (Rockford/Parkway) scored a season high 11. Aiden Alialy would notch a career-high, bucketing 10 with a pair of rebounds. Leading the team in rebounds was Cam Rogers with seven and he also chipped in with nine points.
Bluffton will return home on Wednesday, Feb. 5, when the Beavers host Earlham College at 7:30 p.m., who won the first matchup this season 78-69. Come out and support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-