By Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant
Women's Basketball
The Bluffton University women's basketball team fell short against the Mount St. Joseph Lions, 62-58, on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. The Beavers fell to 12-8 overall and 7-7 in the conference. The Lions improved their overall record to 12-8 with a 9-4 mark in the HCAC.
The home squad was very efficient from the free-throw line, knocking down 12-of-15 (80 percent), but it struggled from the field, going 21-for-57 (36.8 percent) overall and 4-of-16 (25 percent) from distance. MSJ shot 23-of-70 (32.9 percent) from the floor and 4-of-12 (33.3 percent) beyond the arc. The Lions won the battle of the boards, pulling down 44 compared to 41 from Bluffton, and they outscored the Beavers 38-28 in the paint.
The women's team gets a week to prepare before hopping on the bus when it heads to Earlham for a conference matchup on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The Beavers hope to get a key HCAC victory as tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
Men's Basketball
CINCINNATI--The Bluffton University men's basketball team slipped to 4-16 overall and 2-11 in the Heartland Conference after they fell to the Mount St. Joseph Lions, 65-55, in a road matchup on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. MSJ improved to 7-13 with an HCAC mark of 6-7.
MSJ scored the ball at a slightly more efficient clip, hitting 23-of-51 (45.1 percent), compared to the visiting team's 20-for-51 (39.2 percent). Bluffton shot very well from distance, draining 7-of-17 (41.2 percent) compared to MSJ's 6-of-24 (25 percent). The Lions also outrebounded the Beavers by nine (36-27).
The men will play their next game back in the Sommer Center when they host Rose-Hulman on Saturday, Feb. 4. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. The team will be celebrating Alumni Day with the former players showing off their skills at 11 a.m. Following the 2 p.m. game, Bluffton will honor Head Coach Guy Neal for his impact on Bluffton University as he is to retire following 34 years at the helm.
