January 9, 2016
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant
ANDESON, Ind. - The Anderson University men scored nine straight points to end the first period en route to an 85-72 win over the Beavers on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2016. Bluffton fell to 8-5 overall and 3-3 in the Heartland Conference following its second straight setback, while Anderson improved to 6-7 on the season and 2-4 in the HCAC.
A three by TREY ELCHERT (Jackson Center) started the game off for the Beavers, putting them up 3-0. Anderson then went on a 9-0 run to make the score 9-3 less than four minutes in. After trading baskets for most of the half, the Ravens pushed the spread to an 11-point lead. A three by BILLY TAFLINGER (Lima/Central Catholic) cut the deficit to eight, 28-20, with 4:54 remaining in the first period. The home team answered with a three of their own and finished with a 9-0 run to take a 40-22 cushion to the break.
Anderson came out firing to start the second half as the Ravens extended their lead to 21 after an old-fashioned three-point play by Trevor Lucas to put them up, 43-22. Bluffton answered with a couple free throws by senior THAYNE RECKER (Arlington) and a triple by Taflinger. An Elchert layin cut the Raven lead to 45-31 with 16:29 left in regulation. Five minutes later the Ravens were up 55-41, until freshman MARTIN MAKSVYTIS (Dayton/Franklin-Monroe) hit one from deep to make the score 55-44. That was as close as it got with the home team nailing down an 85-72 victory over the Beavers.
Thayne Recker put up his 23rd career double-double with team highs of 22 points and 12 rebounds. He was 7-of-14 from the field and 8-for-10 at the line. Martin Maksvytis hit 4-of-11 from distance off the bench for a career-high 14 points. Austin Rohde (Shelby) and Billy Taflinger chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively. Trey Elchert added eight points and two assists for the visitors.
Bluffton shot 41.1 percent (23-of-56) from the field, while Anderson hit 49.2 percent (32-of-65). The Ravens also won the rebounding battle, 38-33, and were able to force 17 Beaver turnovers. Bluffton outshot Anderson from the three-point line as the Beavers went 11-of-30 (36.7 percent). Anderson converted 6-of-19 (31.6 percent) from deep.
The Beavers jump back into action on Wednesday, Jan. 13 when they travel to face Manchester at 7:30 p.m. before returning home to face Hanover College on Saturday, Jan. 16 at 3 P.M.
-BEAVERS-
