By Keisha Holtsberry, sports information assistant

The Bluffton University men’s basketball team held Anderson University to 15 points in the first half en route to a convincing 67-45 victory on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013. Bluffton improved to 6-9 overall and 2-6 in the HCAC with its second straight win, while Anderson fell to 7-8 overall and 3-5 in the HCAC.

The Beavers came out strong, going up by 10 points less than eight minutes into the game. Junior Will Pope (Camden/Preble Shawnee) started off the scoring for the Beavers with a layup that was assisted by senior Tyler Neal (Bluffton). Bluffton went on a 12-0 run, capped by a layup from freshman Nate Chambers (Miamisburg) with the assist coming from Pope as the Beavers led 16-6.

The home team continued to pull away thanks to a defense that held AU to 16 percent shooting during the first 20 minutes. A layup by junior Dustin Kinn (Alvada/New Riegel) with less than a minute left in the half put the Beavers up by 22. Anderson  made two foul shots to cut the Beaver lead to 20 at the half, 35-15.

The second half featured more of the same with the Beavers outscoring Anderson and maintaining control of the scoreboard. Bluffton was able to get significant action for all 16 players dressed while capping its 67-45 win over the Ravens.

Will Pope led the Beavers with 16 points and seven rebounds. He hit 8-of-12 from the field and came up with two steals. Sophomore Josh Johnson (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) added 11 points to the Bluffton total. Kinn paced the Beavers in rebounds with nine while adding nine counters. He just missed a second consecutive double-double.

The Beavers went 28-of-52 (53.8 percent) from the field compared to Anderson which finished 14-of-54 (25.9 percent). Bluffton hit 2-of-8 (25.0 percent) from behind the arc, while Anderson missed all 15 of its three-point attempts.

Bluffton returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 16, when the Beavers welcome Manchester University for the final matchup in the first round of Heartland Conference play. The contest is slated to start at 7:30 p.m. in the Sommer Center.