By Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant

Stats http://www.bluffton.edu/athletics/mensbasketball/2014/11-30-mb.htm

 The Bluffton University men's basketball team made the trip to Kalamazoo, Mich., to take on the Kalamazoo College Hornets on Saturday afternoon, Nov. 30, 2013. The Hornets took advantage of a big spurt to end the first half which carried them to a 93-86 victory.

After Billy Taflinger (Lima/Central Catholic) hit a deep shot to tie the game at 19 just five minutes in, Kalamazoo would never be tied or trail for the remainder of the contest. The Hornets scored 17 of the next 22 points to open up a double-digit advantage. The home team continued to pour it on and Kalamazoo went up by 19 points at the end of the first half.

The lead soared to 20 points for the home team in the first five minutes of the second half. However, a three from Nate Chambers (Miamisburg), a layin from Thayne Recker (Arlington), a Dustin Kinn (Alvada/New Riegel) freebie and a triple from Brock Homier (Continental) would be the 9-0 run that would get Bluffton to within 11 points. However, a quick 5-0 spurt by the home team pushed the lead back to double digits after Bluffton narrowed the gap to seven points.

A quick spurt of 9-0 for Bluffton cut the lead down to three points. A jumper in the paint and a free throw from Recker, followed by back-to-back treys from Homier and Ryan Ebbeskotte (Delphos/Jefferson) got the visitors back in the contest.

However, the Hornets held on down the stretch as they came out with the 93-86 victory over the Beavers.

Bluffton had seven players in double figures, led by Nate Chambers who scored 21 points, added seven boards and dished out four assists. Senior Will Pope (Somerville/Preble Shawnee) added 14 points, on 6-of 10 shooting, and seven rebounds. Brock Homier chipped in 11 points, three boards and a career-best five assists on 3-of-5 shooting from outside the arc. Billy Taflinger, Ryan Ebbeskotte, Thayne Recker, and Dustin Kinn scored 10 points apiece to round out the scoring for Bluffton.

All-American and pre-season MIAA Player of the Year Mark Ghafari led the Hornets with 27 points, six assists and four rebounds. Adam Peters added 19 points and Chase Baysdell finished with 16 tallies.

Both teams shot extremely well from the field as the Hornets drained 60 percent (35-of-58) from the floor, including 10-of-16 (63 percent) from beyond the arc. The Beavers shot 53 percent (31-of-58) from the field and 46 percent (10-of-22) from distance.

The Beavers open Heartland Conference play on Wednesday, Dec. 4, as the Earlham College Quakers come to town. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Sommer Center.