By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant
NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - Manchester University used a 23-2 run early in the second stanza to propel the home team to a 77-58 victory over the Bluffton University men on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The Spartans were able to finish the game with five scorers in double figures while shooting a red-hot 61.2 percent (30-of-49) from the floor. Manchester improved to 4-12 and 3-6 in HCAC play, while Bluffton fell to .500, 8-8 overall and 4-5 in the conference.
The first half was an exciting, back-and-forth affair featuring eight lead changes, as well as a hot start from freshman Andrew Finley (Cincinnati/Walnut Hills), who dropped 10 in the opening stanza. However, after a Thayne Recker (Arlington) jumper gave Bluffton a one-point lead with 5:30 to go in the half, Manchester would score the final eight points to head to the lockerroom with a 35-28 advantage.
Recker tallied the first four points of the second to get the Spartan lead to three points, but Manchester responded by scoring 16 consecutive points and 23 of the next 25 to take a commanding 58-34 lead with 11:33 to go, effectively sealing the deal for the Spartans.
The Spartans 61 percent shooting on the contest included 52.9 percent (9-of-17) shooting from beyond the arc. The Beavers finished just 41.8 percent (23-of-55) from the floor and 29.2 percent (7-of-24) from deep. Manchester also won the battle of the boards, 30-24. Bluffton turned it over just five times on the night.
The Beavers were led by Andrew Finley, who contributed 14 points on 5-of-9 from the floor. Thayne Recker added eight points and three boards for the Beavers. Manchester finished with five in double figures, led by Chase Casteel with 24 points and six boards and Matt Brown with 16 tallies and six rebounds.
The Beavers hit the road again on Saturday, Jan. 24, as they kick off the second half of HCAC play when they take on the Anderson University Ravens at 4 p.m. Following the rivalry game in Defiance on Wednesday, Jan. 28, Bluffton returns to the Sommer Center on Saturday, Jan. 31, to take on the Hanover College Panthers. Come support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
