By: Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant
CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's basketball team slipped to 4-16 overall and 2-11 in the Heartland Conference after they fell to the Mount St. Joseph Lions, 65-55, in a road matchup on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. MSJ improved to 7-13 with an HCAC mark of 6-7.
The first half was very exciting as both teams were able to score the ball, with the Lions winning the half (31-29) by a slim two-point margin. Ryan Rose (Tipp City/Bethel) was on fire in the opening half, knocking down three triples, including two straight late in the period.
Nevin Robson (Kenton/Hardin Northern) drilled a jump shot at the 15:43 mark. Brady Wheeler (Lima/Shawnee) converted a traditional three-point play after dropping in a mid-range jumper while he was fouled. A hoop-and-harm from Michael Stammen (Versailles) and a Wheeler triple pulled the Beavers within two going into halftime after the visitors led by as many as 11 points in the first 20 minutes.
Bluffton lost connection in the second half as the Beavers were outscored by eight in the period. Marcus Bruns (Coldwater) opened up scoring for Bluffton, sinking a trey at the 19:21 mark off a Stammen assist. Stammen also had his hand in on the next bucket, dishing a helper to JD Stokes (West Harrison/Franklin County) for a two-point jumper. Robson connected from behind the arc to bring Bluffton within seven, but the Lions proved too tough to handle as they won the contest, 65-55, securing a season split with Bluffton.
Wheeler continued his impressive freshman campaign, scoring 16 points and pulling down four boards. Stammen led his squad in assists with three, and Bruns was active on the glass, coming down with a team-high five rebounds. Robson added 10 tallies of his own with Rose scoring nine, all in the first half.
MSJ scored the ball at a slightly more efficient clip, hitting 23-of-51 (45.1 percent), compared to the visiting team's 20-for-51 (39.2 percent). Bluffton shot very well from distance, draining 7-of-17 (41.2 percent) compared to MSJ's 6-of-24 (25 percent). The Lions also outrebounded the Beavers by nine (36-27).
The men will play their next game back in the Sommer Center when they host Rose-Hulman on Saturday, Feb. 4. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. The team will be celebrating Alumni Day with the former players showing off their skills at 11 a.m. Following the 2 p.m. game, Bluffton will honor Head Coach Guy Neal for his impact on Bluffton University as he is to retire following 34 years at the helm!
-BEAVERS-