By Takayla Gadberry, Sports Information Alumna
www.BlufftonBeavers.com

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton University men's basketball team opened up the McDonald's Holiday Tournament on Friday, Dec. 29, notching a 74-62 victory over Miami-Hamilton. The Beavers improved to 3-7 on the season while the Harriers fell to 5-8.

The Beavers put points on the board first when a triple for Ian Snelling (Erlanger, KY/Dixie Heights) gave the home team a 3-0 lead less than 30 seconds into the game. A Matt Ray (Indianapolis, IN/Herron) bucket followed by threes from Cam Rogers (Cincinnati/Cincinnati Christian/Tiffin University) and Snelling pushed the Bluffton spread to 11-4. A 10-2 run for the Harriers pulled them within one (14-13) with 9:38 to play in the half. After five minutes of scoreboard silence for the Beavers, Snelling found the net for two and then drained a long shot to put the Beavers up 24-18. An offensive spark for Miami saw them go on a 9-4 run to pull back within one (28-27) going into the intermission.

The Bluffton offense came out of the locker room hot, highlighted by Ray draining three triples during the first three minutes, putting the Beavers up 41-35 early. A 12-2 run for Bluffton saw the good guys continue to push their lead to 53-37. The Harriers scored five straight, but Josh Crall (Bucyrus/Wynford) answered back with two trifectas to keep the Beavers up 61-42. The offensive spark for the home team stayed red hot as they added 13 more points to the scoreboard for a 74-62 victory over the Harriers and an advancement to the championship game.

Leading the Beavers was Snelling with career highs of 17 points and 12 rebounds. Crall added 13 points to his stat line with Ray and Rogers both tallying 11 markers. Connor Martin (Holland/Springfield) powered the Bluffton defense with 13 rebounds. Rogers pulled down nine boards in the victory. Ray doled out a career-best five dimes.

The Beavers shot 21-of-64 (32.8 percent), including 13-of-35 (37.1 percent) from distance, compared to 21-of-59 (35.6 percent) from the field and 7-of-14 (50 percent) from beyond the arc for Miami. Bluffton drained 19-of-22 (86.4 percent) at the charity stripe while the Harriers netted 13-of-17 (76.5 percent) freebies. The Beavers turned the ball over one more time (10-9), but were whistled for three fewer fouls (17-14).

The Beavers will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 30, when they face off against Albion College, an 80-75 winner over Asbury, in the McDonald's Holiday Tournament championship game. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m. in the Sommer Center.