By Jordan Marbaugh, sports information assistant

Stats http://www.bluffton.edu/sports/mensbasketball/2012/11-26-mb.htm

The Bluffton University men's basketball team knocked off a previously-undefeated Hiram College squad 73-68 on Saturday, Nov. 26, improving to 4-0 on the year. The offense was powered by senior Mychal Hill (London/Jon. Alder) as he dropped in 17 points and dished out three assists.

Hiram started the game quickly as the visitors bolted to an early 18-6 lead with 14:53 left in the first half. A jumper by sophomore Josh Johnson (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) followed by a layup from Dillon Long (Rockford/Parkway) closed the gap to 18-10. Two Hiram free throws pushed the lead back to 10 at the 12:20 mark.

The Beavers proceeded to go on a 14-0 run. Senior Nick Lee (Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue) dropped in a three, cutting the deficit to 20-17 with 8:53 remaining first half. Back-to-back layups by Brent Farley (Lima/Shawnee) and Dustin Kinn (Alvada/New Riegel) gave Bluffton a 21-20 lead at the 7:44 mark. The home team ended the half on a 27-8 jag over the final 13:50 of the period to take a 33-26 advantage at the break.

Bluffton opened its largest lead of the game, 51-42, with 9:34 remaining in the game, but Hiram would not go away. A trey by leading-scorer Andrew Wiegand at the 5:49 mark cut the Beaver lead to 61-60. The teams exchanged baskets down the stretch before Bluffton went up 68-64 with 54 seconds remaining.

Hiram missed a three and the carom came off to Lee who was fouled. The senior guard stepped to line and knocked down both free throws, pushing the lead to 70-64 with 29 seconds remaining. Hiram got a quick deuce and then fouled Hill with 21 seconds left. He took his turn at the stripe and all but sealed the game as he knocked down both free throws, making it 72-66. The Terriers added a Wiegand deuce as the clock wound down on Bluffton's 73-68 victory.

The Beavers had four players in double figures, led by Mychal Hill with 17. Brent Farley and Nick Lee each added 12, while Dustin Kinn dropped in 11. Will Pope (Somerville/Preble Shawnee) chipped in with eight points and six boards off the bench and Josh Johnson tallied seven counters. Farley and Kinn also pulled down six rebounds apiece, while senior Steve Swick (Lima/Elida) grabbed a career-high five boards.

Bluffton connected on 24-of-54 from the field (44.4 percent), compared to 26-of-61 (42.6 percent) for the Terriers. However, both teams hit 50 percent or better during the final 20 minutes. Hiram and Bluffton both knocked down seven shots from distance, but the Beavers were 18-of-26 (69.2 percent) from the charity stripe, while Hiram finished 9-for-12 (75 percent). The home team pulled down five more rebounds (37-32), but the Beavers also turned it over four more times (11-7).

With the 73-68 victory, the Beavers stay perfect at 4-0 on the season. Bluffton returns to action on Wednesday, Nov. 30, when it travels to Mount St. Joseph for the Heartland Confefrence opener. The tip is slated for 7:30 p.m.