Beavers take No. 5 Hanover down to the wire in Founders Hall
By Ben Risinger, SID
January 31, 2004
The Bluffton College men’s basketball team (9-10, 3-5 HCAC) took the Hanover Panthers (18-1, 8-0 HCAC) down to the line but could not come out with the win on Saturday afternoon. Hanover finished on top 69-67 at the end of regulation.
The Panthers started the game with a 9-0 lead and led for the entire first half of play. The score at halftime would be 30-20 in favor of Hanover. Things swayed towards Bluffton in the middle of second half as they went on a 16-7 run to take the lead for the first time with 11:53 left in the game, 38-37. The Beavers then went up by as many as seven points at the 5:00 mark, 58-51. Hanover would not be stopped as they battled back to take the lead for good with 3:11 left to play. The Beavers fought hard until the last second when Scott Bergman (Elmore/Woodmore) hit a three-pointer with two seconds left for the final score. The Panthers pulled down key rebounds and were able to fend off the Beaver comeback. Hanover dominated inside with 32 points in the paint to Bluffton’s 14 points.
Leading Bluffton was senior Brad Boyles (Berne, Ind./South Adams) and freshman Michael Anthony (tied career high) with 19 points each. Sophomore Scott Bergman finished the Beaver double digits with 13 points and a team high five rebounds.
Thad McCracken led Hanover with 14 points. Tommy Dennis posted 13 points with Frank Passaro chipping in 12 points.
Bluffton and Hanover both shot 48 percent for the contest. Hanover narrowly won the rebound contest with 29 to the Beavers 28. Hurting the Beavers were turnovers as they committed 14 to Hanover’s eight. The Panthers then converted 20 points off of Bluffton turnovers.
Bluffton will be back in action on Wednesday when they travel to Franklin College. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
