By Martin Kluk, sports information intern
Stats: http://www.bluffton.edu/sports/mensbasketball/2012/01-14-mb.htm
The Bluffton University men's basketball team snapped a string of six straight setbacks at the hands of Anderson with a 77-70 victory on January 14, 2012. It marked the first Bluffton win at O.C. Lewis Gymnasium since 2006. Bluffton improved to 10-5 overall and 4-4 in the Heartland Conference with its third HCAC win in the last four games, while Anderson slipped to 8-7 on the season and 4-4 in conference play.
Anderson maintained a slight lead throughout the first 10 minutes of the game until senior Mychal Hill (London/Jon. Alder) drained a three for a 20-18 edge. Slowly, the Beavers pushed their lead to six on a layup by Dustin Kinn (Alvada/New Riegel) with 6:22 left in the half. Following a media timeout at the four-minute mark, Kinn knocked down two free throws, giving Bluffton its largest lead of the game at 33-24.
The Ravens, however, went on a quick run of their own to finish the half as they trimmed the deficit to 39-38 at the break after a Phil Hogan three-pointer with just two ticks on the clock.
Anderson needed just nine seconds in period two to take the lead on a layup by Hogan. However, much like the women's game earlier in the day, Bluffton responded and took control early in the second stanza.
Kinn, who had a monster game off the bench with 24 points, hit from in close to give the Beavers a 40-39 lead with 17:29 left and that was the last time Anderson saw the scoreboard with the home team on top. Bluffton continued to shoot well from the field and with just over 12 minutes left, sophomore Josh Johnson (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) dialed long distance to put the Beavers up, 50-42.
The Ravens had one last run in them as they drained back-to-back trey's to make it 50-48. Down five with 4:26 to play, Hogan made a crucial mistake when he was whistled for a technical after fouling junior Josh Fisher (Rockford/Parkway). Hill and Fisher combined to make all four free throws which bumped the lead up to 64-55 for the Beavers.
Bluffton held the lead for the rest of the game as Anderson continued to put the Beavers at the line and force them to make free throws. Fisher converted 5-of-6 from the charity stripe in the final 21 seconds to seal the deal.
Dustin Kinn dominated the Anderson post defenders with 24 points on a ridiculous 11-of-12 shooting from the field. He was 7-of-8 in the second half as Nate Heckelman (Norwalk) and Will Pope (Somerville/Preble Shawnee) battled foul trouble after the break. Josh Fisher, who was 3-of-4 from distance in the first period, ended the night with 19 points, three assists and 7-of-8 shooting at the charity stripe. Floor general Mychal Hill contributed with 13 points, four assists and two steals. Brent Farley (Lima/Shawnee) chipped in with a team-high five boards, four blocks, four assists and four steals.
Bluffton was efficient from the field, hitting 24-of-47 shots (51.1 percent), including 9-of-16 from distance for 56.3 percent. The Beavers were a blazing 7-of-9 from deep (77.8 percent) in the first period. Anderson knocked down 25-for-56 (44.6 percent) on field goals and 15-of-22 at the line (68.2 percent). AU controlled the glass to the tune of a 37-25 advantage. The Ravens turned it over six more times than their counterparts (18-12).
The Beavers finish round one of their trip through the Heartland Conference when they travel to Manchester College on Wednesday, Jan. 18. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in North Manchester, Indiana.
