By Keisha Holtsberry, sports information assistant

The Bluffton University men's basketball team hosted Anderson University on Monday, February 7. The Beavers fell behind 10-0 less than four minutes into the game and were down 45-19 at the break. A frantic second half comeback came up just short as the Ravens held on for an 86-78 victory in a rare Monday night contest in Founders Hall. Bluffton slipped to 14-7 overall and 7-7 in the HCAC. The Ravens improved to 15-6 overall and 11-3 in conference play.

Junior Nate Heckelman (Norwalk) broke the ice for the Bluffton offense as he drove to the hoop for two at the 15:29 mark. A layin by Mychal Hill (London/Jon. Alder) cut the Ravens lead to 12 at the 14:19 mark. Anderson took full control of the game for the next five minutes, upping its lead to 25 (33-8) less than 12 minutes into the game.

Will Pope (Somerville/Preble Shawnee) added two free throws and a layup, cutting the Raven lead to 21. Four minutes later Hill buried a three pointer with an assist from Heckelman. The Beavers ended the half down by 26 points, 45-19.

Hanover opened the second half with three foul shots. Bluffton answered with three layups, two from Rob Luderman (Defiance/Ayersville) and one by Hill. For the next 10 minutes, Bluffton chipped away at the lead until the Beavers finally chopped the Raven advantage from 29 to 15.

At the 5:04 mark, a triple from Scott Schnipke (Kalida) cut the deficit to 13. Another trey from Schnipke followed by a Heckelman hoop and harm pulled the Beavers within 10 points at the 1:27 mark. Schnipke hit from in close before layups from Josh Fisher (Rockford/Parkway) and Heckelman made it a six-point game. The Beavers kept applying pressure during the final minute, but the visitors went 6-of-6 at the stripe down the stretch to secure an 86-78 victory.

Junior Mychal Hill paced the Beavers with 22 points, including a perfect 6-of-6 at the line. Scott Schnipke followed with a career-high 14 points on four makes from distance, while Heckelman added a career-best 11 counters and four dimes. Will Pope just missed a double-double with 10 points and eight rebounds.

The Ravens had three players in double digits. Phil Hogan torched the Beavers with 30 points on 13-of-19 shooting from the floor. Jarrin Forte added 22 while Andrew Bowman chipped in with 10.

The Beavers hit just 25-of-72 (34.7 percent) while the Ravens made a blistering 30-of-50 (60.0 percent) from the field. Bluffton pulled down 10 more rebounds (44-34). Anderson committed three more miscues (14-11) despite just one first half turnover.

Bluffton jumps right back into Heartland Conference action with a crucial battle at Manchester College on Wednesday, February 9. The contest is slated for 7:30 p.m.