January 7, 2017
By: Jared Sleutz, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men's basketball team welcomed visiting Anderson University for a Heartland Conference tussle. The Ravens improved to 5-1 with the 81-76 victory on a frigid Saturday, Jan. 7. There were 11 lead changes in the see-saw affair.
Bluffton led by as many as six points (33-27) following back-to-back triples by sophomore Martin Maksvytis (Dayton/Franklin-Monroe) and senior Trey Elchert (Jackson Center), but Anderson answered back with a 13-5 spurt for a 40-38 lead at the break.
Seven straight counters from the Beavers put the home team back on top 61-54 midway through the second stanza before a 16-0 Raven onslaught turned the tide in favor of the visitors. Bluffton pulled within a point at the 1:38 mark but Anderson finished held on for the 81-76 victory.
The Beavers were led by AUSTIN ROHDE (Shelby) with 23 points thanks to 6-of-6 from the free throw line. The 23 markers left him just one point shy of 1,000 for his career. JARED WENTLING (Carey) was next with 17 points and seven rebounds. KEVIN CHRISTIE (Miamisburg/Bishop Fenwick) stuffed the stat sheet with 10 points, four assists and four boards. TREY ELCHERT (Jackson Center) added eight points and dished out a career-high 10 assists.
Anderson hit 30-of-55 from the field for 54.5 percent, compared to 27-of-63 (42.9 percent) for the Beavers. Bluffton connected on 8-of-19 from distance, while the Ravens struggled to a 0-for-9 night. The home team finished with 14 turnovers, compared to 16 for the Ravens. Anderson dominated the boards (35-27) and points in the paint (56-34).
Bluffton hosts Manchester on Wednesday, Jan. 11, with tip-off slated for 7:30 p.m. in Sommer Center.
-BEAVERS-
