By: Owen Lugibihl, sports information assistant

Stats

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University men’s basketball team cruised to a 98-55 victory over the Ohio Midwestern Rams on Friday, Dec. 18. The Beavers improved to 6-2 overall heading into their Christmas break.

Bluffton jumped on top from the outset, scoring 23 of the game’s first 25 points in the first seven minutes, including eight points apiece from Thayne Recker (Arlington) and Austin Rohde (Shelby). Following a pair of Ram baskets several Beavers got in on the fun, including three straight buckets by junior Adam Hopkins (Wellington/Keystone), pushing the lead to 34-11 midway through the first half. By the seven-minute mark the Rams had chipped away at the Beaver lead, making it 34-16, but Bluffton took control of the reins once again and never looked back. In the final seven minutes of the first stanza the Beavers outscored the Rams, 13-3, to take a commanding 47-19 lead into halftime.

The Beavers continued the onslaught after the break, outscoring the Rams 29-7 in the first portion of the second stanza, seeing their lead balloon as high as 51 points, 77-26, on a three-ball by Andrew Hunter (Arlington) at the 10:54 mark. Ohio Midwestern shot the ball better in the second half, but the home squad proved to be too much, never letting the lead dip below 38 points the rest of the way.

Bluffton shot very well from the floor, hitting 50.6 percent (39-of-77), including 44.4 percent (12-of-27) from downtown. The Rams could not muster many good looks, shooting a dismal 28.8 percent (21-of-73) from the floor, including 23.8 percent (5-of-21) from beyond the arc. The home team outrebounded Ohio Midwestern convincingly, 61-34, in the victory. The Beavers also assisted on over half of their field goals, dropping 29 dimes on 39 baskets in the victory.

Three Bluffton starters put up double figures as everyone played at least six minutes for the home team. Junior guard Austin Rohde scored 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, while sharpshooting 4-of-7 from beyond the arc. Rohde also notched three rebounds and handed out five assists. Senior Thayne Recker finished with 12 points, on 6-of-8 shooting, while hauling in nine rebounds, one short of a double-double in just 16 minutes of action. Senior Billy Taflinger (Lima/Central Catholic) also recorded double figures, scoring 11 while shooting 3-of-5 from the floor and leading the team in free-throws, making 5-of-6. Taflinger secured five boards and dished out three assists. Freshman Jared Wentling (Carey) added eight points on 4-of-7 shooting, while ripping down eight rebounds and handing out four assists. 

For the Rams, three players marked up double digits with Rakeem Mincey leading the team, scoring 17 points on 7-of-20 shooting. Guard Antheis McElroy recorded a double-double, scoring 13 points on 4-of-10 shooting and securing 11 boards in the loss.

The Beavers return to action at the McDonald’s Holiday Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 29. The Beavers play the second men's game on the opening day of the tournament at 7 p.m, against Washington & Jefferson. Check out www.blufftonbeavers.com for links to live stats and tournament updates. Go BEAVERS!

-BEAVERS-