December 7, 2016
By: Jared Sleutz, sports information assistant
RICHMOND, Ind. - The Bluffton University men held off upstart Earlham College for an 88-87 overtime road victory on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Bluffton improved to 6-1 (1-1 HCAC) after the one-point win while Earlham slipped to 3-4 (0-2 HCAC). The Beavers led by as many as 14 points early in the second half but it took a Trey Elchert (Jackson Center) triple with 11 seconds remaining to force the extra period.
Jared Wentling (Carey) put up eight of the 14 points scored in OT for Bluffton. With the extra session tipping off, Wentling, struck first for a 76-74 lead. Earlham answered back with a layup, but Wentling sliced through the key for back-to-back deuces. Bluffton drained 8-of-10 (80 percent) at the line down the stretch to keep Earlham from completing what would have been a spectacular comeback.
Wentling led the Beavers with a career-high of 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the field. Senior AUSTIN ROHDE (Shelby) followed with 19 points and eight boards. Fellow captain TREY ELCHERT (Jackson Center) scored 16 points and dished out four assists. Junior KEVIN CHRISTIE (Miamisburg/Bishop Fenwick) paced Bluffton with a career-best seven assists. Wentling and Rohde finished with eight rebounds apiece.
Bluffton hit 51.8 percent (29-of-56) from the field, while the Quakers knocked down 50.8 percent (30-of-59). Both teams converted 38.9 percent (7-of-18) behind the arc. Earlham won a close rebounding battle, 32-30. The Beavers forced 14 Quaker turnovers while committing 11 miscues.
Bluffton heads to Terre Haute, Ind. for a battle with Rose-Hulman on Saturday, Dec. 10. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. following the women's clash with RHIT.
-BEAVERS-
