By Nathan Zuercher, sports information assistant
The Beavers headed to Earlham College on Friday, Jan. 22, to battle the Quakers. The Beavers bested the home team, winning 69-55 and staying undefeated at 6-0 on the season while the Quakers fell to 1-2.
The Beavers came out rolling in the first half, taking an early 11-2 lead over the Quake. The momentum was fueled by junior guard Jameel Cosby (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) who was perfect from behind the arc in the first, shooting a superb three-for-three. He finished the half with a startling 21 points. Senior Aaron Rich (Greenville) would not stand by and watch Cosby do it all himself though, adding 10 of his own first half points and dominating the paint in every aspect possible.
Going into the break the Beavers led the Quakers by 12 (31-19), thanks to their stifling defense. Bluffton drained 50 percent (12-of-24) from the floor and 30 percent (3-of-10) from behind the mark compared the Earlham's 30.8 percent (8-of-26) and paltry 9.1 percent (1-of-11) from deep.
The second half was more of the same for the Beavers with their scoring staying steady but the Quakers picked it up on their offensive end. Former HCAC Defensive Player of the Year Dezman Brown (Elyria) showed why he earned it with his 3 and D ablilities. Brown had a steal and two three-pointers to add to his total of 17 points. Marcus Bruns (Coldwater) pulled down two more rebounds in the half to give him a total of four points and four boards for the game as the Beavers went on to claim a 69-55 victory.
The three double-digit scores in the game were Cosby with a career-high 25, Brown (17) and Rich (16). Senior Ronnie James (Cleveland/Benedictine) and sophomore Mike Ketner (Minster) led the squad with four assists apiece. Rich pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds, giving him a double-double for the evening. Brown finished with three steals and Cosby blocked three Quaker shots.
The Beavers lit it up for 51.9 percent (27-of-52) from the field, compared to the Quakers 40 percent (22-of-55). Bluffton pulled down four more rebounds (32-28) and the Beavers turned it over two fewer times (13-11)
Second game
The Beavers won the second matchup in two nights against Earlham on Saturday, Jan. 23. The men's squad defeated the Quakers in stunning fashion, 67-45, as the Beavers stayed undefeated while moving to 7-0 on the season.
The Beavers started out fast and furious against the Quakers. The backcourt duo of Dezman Brown (Elyria) and Jameel Cosby (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) paced the home team in the first stanza with eight points each. Senior Aaron Rich (Greenville) added six points while pulling down seven boards for the Beavers. Sophomore standout Mike Ketner (Minster) knocked down two jumpers and made a pair of free throws to give him six in the first half. The Beavers led by 10 (32-22) heading into the break.
In the second half, it was more of the same for Cosby who torched the Quake show with 14 more points, dominating the game as he continued driving to the hoop and finishing or getting fouled. Rich kept control of the paint in the second, scoring six more points and ripping down five rebounds to go along with a steal. Sophomore Marcus Bruns (Coldwater) looked smooth in the second half, tossing in six points on 3-of-4 shooting as well as snagging four rebounds.
The Beavers finished the game on a roll, scoring 35 in the half and winning with a score of 67-45. John Draper (South Euclid/Brush) got his name in the book, driving down broadway for an uncontested layin as time expired.
The double-digit scorers for the Beavers were Cosby (22), Rich (12) and Brown (12). Cosby also handed out a team-best four of them for the victors. Rich finished with his third double-double in six games, grabbing a team high 12 boards to add to his 12 points.
The Beavers shot 46.3 percent (25-of-54) from the floor, compared to 18-of-47 (38.3 percent) for the Quakers. Bluffton was just 1-of-11 (9.1 percent) from behind the arc, while Earlham shot 27.3 percent (3-of-11). Bluffton dominated in the paint (40-12) and also outscored the Quakers 12-0 on second chance opportunities. The Beavers also controlled the boards with a ridiculous 42-22 advantage on the glass.
The Beavers are back in action again next Friday, Jan. 29, when they welcome Manchester University to the Sommer Cent for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
