By Blade Tackett, sports information assistant

Stats http://www.bluffton.edu/athletics/mensbasketball/2014/01-11-mb.htm

The Bluffton University men's basketball team dropped its third straight HCAC contest against the Hanover College Panthers by a final of 75-59 on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014. The fast-paced Panthers forced Bluffton into 18 turnovers while maintaining a balanced offense on the other end, shooting 58.8 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from behind the arc.  Hanover improved to 9-4 overall and 5-1 in the HCAC, while Bluffton fell to 6-7 and 2-4 in the HCAC.

The Beavers came out battling the first 15 minutes behind the play of junior Ryan Ebbeskotte (Delphos/Jefferson) who hit consecutive threes in the first three minutes and finished the half with 10 points. Bluffton stretched the lead to seven, its largest of the game, at the 6:19 mark before Hanover countered with a 17-3 run to finish the half, giving the Panthers a 38-29 lead at the break.

Bluffton trimmed the deficit to five early in the second stanza following a pair of Will Pope (Somerville/Preble Shawnee) chip shots. However, the rest of the game went Hanover's way as the visitors scored seven straight and never let the lead dip below nine points the rest of the way.

Bluffton shot 22-of-49 (44.9 percent) from the field. Three Beavers recorded double-digit points, led by Billy Taflinger (Lima/Central Catholic) with 16, and 12 apiece from Will Pope and Ryan Ebbeskotte. Bluffton outrebounded Hanover 25-24 as Pope ripped down eight boards and Thayne Recker (Arlington) followed with six. Tim Bass led four Panthers in double figures with 16 points and 10 assists.

Bluffton looks to bounce back against the rival Yellow Jackets this coming Wednesday, Jan. 15. Tip time is slated for 8 p.m. in the Weaner Center following the women's contest with Defiance College.