November 21, 2015
By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant

Stats

BUFFALO, NY - The Bluffton University men’s basketball team steamrolled Villa Maria College, earning an 87-65 victory in the consolation game of the Coles Classic on Saturday, Nov. 21. The Beavers improved to 2-1 on the season while Villa Maria dropped to 3-6.

Bluffton senior big man Thayne Recker (Arlington) was named to the Coles Classic All-Tournament team as he backed up his 23-point, six-rebound performance on Friday with 27 points, on 11-of-13 shooting, and seven rebounds on Saturday.

It was an even battle through the opening six minutes with the score all squared at nine apiece. The Beavers quickly took over from there, outscoring the Vikings 26-6 in the next 10 minutes of play to open up a 35-15 advantage at the 6:06 mark of the half. The run featured tallies from six different Beavers, including 10 markers for Recker. The Beavers continued to expand on the lead and a triple by Martin Maksvytis (Dayton/Franklin-Monroe) gave Bluffton a 51-24 spread heading to the lockerroom. Bluffton’s lead continued to grow, ballooning to 35 on an Austin Rohde (Shelby) jumper at the 8:56 mark of the final stanza. Villa Maria cut into its deficit with the starters on the bench before the Beavers finished off the 87-65 win.

Bluffton wrapped up their best shooting night of the young season, hitting 55 percent (34-of-62) from the floor and 53 percent (9-of-17) from deep. They also went 10-of-12 (83 percent) at the line. The Beavers outrebounded the Vikings, 35-25, including nabbing 16 off the offensive glass. Bluffton committed 14 turnovers to Villa Maria’s 16.

The Beavers finished with four in double figures, led by Recker’s 27 points, seven boards, and two swipes. Austin Rohde chipped in with 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting and he grabbed three boards. Freshman Martin Maksvytis added a career-high 12 markers off the bench, while freshman forward Jared Wentling (Carey) finished the day with 11 points and six boards. Senior point guard Billy Taflinger (Lima/Central Catholic) added eight points and nine assists for the Beavers. The Vikings were led by Darius Huggins who had 12 points in a losing effort.

The Beavers have the week off for the Thanksgiving holiday off before getting back to action on Wednesday, Dec. 2, when they travel to Kalamazoo to take on the Hornets at 8 p.m. Bluffton will return to the Sommer Center on Saturday, Dec. 5, as they open conference play in a matchup with the Transylvania University Pioneers. Game time is set for 4 p.m. following the women’s contest. Come support your Beavers!

-BEAVERS-