Bluffton wins opener in Capital Tip-Off tourney
By Ben Risinger, SID
November 21, 2003
COLUMBUS, OHIO – In a game that was won by free throws at the end, the Bluffton College men’s basketball team (1-0) won their first opener since the 1999-2000 season. The final score was Bluffton 76, Alma 75.
Bluffton led 74-72 with six seconds left in the game. Sophomore Scott Bergman (Elmore/Woodmore) picked up the foul and sank both buckets to widen the Beavers lead 76-72. Alma then took possession of the ball over with two seconds left and sank a half-court three pointer for the final tally, 76-75.
Both teams seemed to have the first game jitters as the Beavers shot only 40 percent from the floor, with Alma shooting 44 percent. The game was a close one as the lead was exchanged several times and the game tied eight times. The Beavers led by as many as nine points in the first half, only to see their lead diminished, going into the locker room down, 32-29. Late in the game Bluffton found themselves behind 58-57 with 5:47 left, to score six straight points and go on a 9-2 run to regain the lead 66-60 with three minutes left. The Beavers would lead for the remainder of the contest.
Leading Bluffton on the night was Bergman with 25 points. Senior Brad Boyles (Berne, Ind./South Adams) posted 14 points and two assists and freshman Michael Anthony (Ohio City/Delphos St. John's) rounded off the double digit scoring with 12 points. Sophomore Eric Sweet (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) led the team in rebounding with nine for the contest and threw in three blocks.
The Beavers went 25-for-63 from the field, with Alma posting 28-for-64. Bluffton was 22-for-31 from the free-throw line for 71 percent. Bluffton will advance to the tournament championship game to play the winner of Capital/Bethany (W.Va.). Tip off is scheduled for 8 p.m. Saturday night.
