The bar is raised.

When Scott Bergman scored 50 points for Bluffton University against Anderson in Founders Hall on Jan. 22, 2005, Beaver fans figured that record might not ever be touched.

Then came Thayne Recker.

He scored 53 points against Hanover on Jan. 31. The Beavers won the contest 103-102 and it took two overtimes to do it.

Recker’s 53 points not only broke a Bluffton University single-game scoring record. It also broke the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference record of 51 set by Manchester's Burt Paddock in 1996.

Recker, a junior, played high school ball at Arlington. Saturday’s 53 points came behind a school record in free throws made (25) and FT attempted (28) in a game. He also tied his career-high with 15 boards on the afternoon.

The victory moved Bluffton to 9-10 overall and 5-7 in HCAC play. Hanover fell to 9-10 and the Panthers are now 6-6 in the conference.

The Beavers return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at home against Manchester University Spartans, looking to avenge the 77-58 loss suffered two weeks ago. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. 

While we’re talking about Beaver records, here are some additional single-game records waiting to be broken:

Field goals made - 19 Lynn Martin
Field goals attempted - 36 Clair Recker
Field goal percentage - .933 Mike Leimeister (14-15)
3-point field goals made - 9 Dave Sheldon, Scott Bergman
3-point field goals attempted - 15 Kevin Gump
3-point field goal percentage - 1.000 Jeremy Best
Free throws made – 25 Thayne Recker
Free throws attempted - 28 Thayne Recker
Free throw percentage - 1.000 Jamie Yount, Clair Recker,
Todd Kehres, Scott Bergman, Mychal Hill
Rebounds - 29 Jim Sommer
Assists - 13 Marcus Bixler
Steals - 7 Todd Varvel
Blocks - 9 Eric Sweet