By Takayla Gadberry, sports information alumna

Men’s basketball, January 4

The Bluffton University men's basketball team secured a 70-69 victory in a nail biter against long-time rival Defiance College on Wednesday, Jan. 4. The Beavers improved to 4-8 (2-3 HCAC) while the Yellow Jackets fell to 5-7 (0-5 HCAC).

Leading the Beaver offense was Wheeler with a career-high 21 points and Owen with 20. Connor Martin (Holland/Springfield) put nine tallies on the board with Stammen and Robson contributing seven apiece. Wheeler also tallied a career-best and game-high eight rebounds with Martin just two off his pace (six). Robson tallied four boards in the victory.

It was a split in the shooting battle as Bluffton outshot Defiance 25-of-44 (56.8 percent) to 25-of-52 (48.1 percent) overall, but the Yellow Jackets did better from distance, going 10-of-18 (55.6 percent) compared to 6-of-15 (40 percent). The Beavers knocked down 14-of 17 (82.4 percent) from the charity stripe with Defiance hitting 9-of-12 (75 percent).

The home team tallied four more points in the paint (32-28) but it also turned the ball over seven more times (20-13). The Beavers dominated the glass with 14 more boards (32-18) on Wednesday night.

The Beavers will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 7, when they travel to Rose-Hulman. Tip-off is slated for 3:30 p.m. in Terre Haute, Ind. 

Women’s basketball, January 4

The Bluffton University women's basketball team rolled to an 81-48 victory over HCAC-rival Defiance College on Wednesday, Jan. 4. The Beavers improved to 8-4 (2-3 HCAC) while the Yellow Jackets fell to 6-6 (1-4 HCAC).

Powering the Bluffton offense was Columber with a career high 26 points and a new school record. She dialed long distance eight times on just nine attempts, eclipsing Shardo's mark of seven triples. Morgan Smith (Arlington) added 12 points to the board and Shardo was two off her pace with 10. Fitzpatrick and Smith led the defense, pulling down six boards apiece. Zender and Henry dished out four dimes apiece.

The Beavers outshot the Yellow Jackets, going 28-of-60 (46.7 percent), compared to 19-of-61 (31.1 percent). Bluffton also set a school record with 16 cashed triples on only 32 attempts (50 percent), while Defiance hit just 1-of-14 (7.1 percent). The home team was perfect at the charity stripe, knocking down 9-of-9 (100 percent) with the visitors 9-of-16 (56.3 percent).

Defiance tallied more points in the paint (30-20), but Bluffton rattled off 20 more points from the bench (57-37). The home team pulled down 11 more rebounds (44-33) and turned the ball over one more time (10-9).

The Beavers will be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 7, when they welcome Albion College to the Sommer Center for a non-conference tussle. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. 

For more Bluffton University sports news, visit https://blufftonbeavers.com