By Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant

Stats http://www.bluffton.edu/athletics/mensbasketball/2014/01-25-mb.htm

Despite a seven-point second half lead, the Bluffton University Beavers dropped a tight one, 78-71, to the Anderson University Ravens as part of the Hall of Fame Day festivities on Saturday, Jan. 25, in the Sommer Center. The loss was the seventh straight for the Beavers who fell to 6-11 overall and 2-8 in HCAC play. The Ravens improved to 4-13 and 4-6 in conference play.

Outside of a 4-3 lead on back-to-back deuces from Thayne Recker (Arlington) in the opening two minutes, Anderson held the advantage for the entirety of the first half. The lead went as high as seven in the late stages of that first stanza before the Beavers trimmed it to two, 41-39, at the break.

Following an Anderson trey on the first possession of period two, Bluffton responded with a 10-0 spurt and 49-43 advantage six minutes into the second. The run began with  back-to-back layups by Recker. After the Recker chip shots, a deuce from Will Pope (Somerville/Preble Shawnee) and a high-flying putback and harm from freshman Austin Rohde (Shelby) put Bluffton in the driver's seat. A freebie from Pope ended the run.

Anderson would respond quickly, however, with a 10-3 run of its own to tie the game (52-52) at the 11:36 mark of the second half. The teams exchanged buckets, including six lead changes, and neither team would lead by more than three points until the Ravens took over in the final four minutes when they outscored the Beavers 13-6 to wrap up the win.

The Beavers were led in scoring by sophomore guard Billy Taflinger (Lima/Central Catholic) with 19 points. He pulled down a career-high seven rebounds and dished out four assists. Big men Thayne Recker and Will Pope dropped in 14 markers apiece, while Pope finished with nine boards. Ryan Ebbeskotte (Fort Jennings/Delphos Jefferson) added nine for the Beavers in the loss. Anderson was led by Max Mollaun and Scott Schwieterman who scored 20 points apiece in the victory.

Anderson's key to victory was their blistering shooting, as they finished the game draining 58 percent (29-of-50) from the floor, compared to Bluffton's 43 percent (26-of-61). The Beavers pulled down one more carom (31-30) and also committed four fewer turnovers (11-7).

Bluffton will jump back into action this Wednesday night as arch-rival Defiance College makes the return trip to the Sommer Center following a tough loss to the Jackets just two weeks ago in the Weaner Center. The men's contest will be the second game of the doubleheader with the women and is slated to tip at 8 p.m. Come support your Beavers!