Both Bluffton men's and women's basketball teams fell to Franklin over the. weekend. Both game reports follow:
Men's game
The Bluffton University men's basketball team traveled to Franklin College for a Saturday afternoon matchup on Dec. 7.
The start of the game was tight with the score notched at 10-10 thanks to a Jameel Cosby (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) triple and an Aaron Rich (Greenville) bucket in the paint. Andrew Renner (Cairo/Bath) put up a three to give the Beavers a 13-10 lead just over five minutes in. The Beaver offense struggled to keep it going as the Grizzlies would go on a 20-4 run, opening a 30-17 lead with 6:02 left in the first. Dezman Brown (Elyria) and AJ Kenney (Marion/River Valley) both hit deuces, but it wasn't enough as Franklin would lead 42-29 going into the half.
Renner hit two shots along with a pair of free throws and Cosby netted two layups to pull the Beavers within five (46-41) early in the second half. Despite what looked like a potential comeback in the making, a 20-8 Franklin spurt allowed the home team to push its lead to 13 and secure the 65-52 victory.
Cosby was the offensive beacon for the Beavers with 17 points. Renner and Rich tallied 14 and seven markers, respectively. Isaiah Taylor (Yellow Springs) and Rich pulled down five boards apiece.
The Beavers struggled offensively as they were connected on 22-of-57 (38.6 percent) from the field, including just 2-of-17 (11.8 percent) from the arc. Franklin knocked down 26-of-58 (44.8 percent) and 8-of-14 (57.1 percent) from deep. Bluffton netted 6-of-10 (60 percent) freebies with Franklin hitting 5-of-7 (71.4 percent). The Beavers forced one more turnover (14-13) but picked up six fewer boards (38-32).
The men will have a week off for final exams before they return to action on Saturday, Dec. 14, when they welcome Rose-Hulman to the Sommer Center. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. following the women's game at 1 p.m.
Bluffton University women
The Bluffton University women's basketball team traveled to Franklin College on Dec. 7, for a Saturday matchup against the Grizzlies. An offensive drought left the Beavers with their first loss of the season as Franklin secured the 81-53 victory. Bluffton fell to 5-1 (1-1 HCAC) while Franklin improved to 3-2 (1-1 HCAC).
A 10-2 run gave Franklin an early 12-4 lead. A layup from Emma Saltzman (Arcadia) cut the Beaver deficit to just one with a little over three minutes to play in the first. Two charity shots for Tj Mills (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) evened the score at 16 apiece. The Beavers couldn't pull ahead though as Franklin held a 20-18 lead at the end of one.
A potent offense by the Grizzlies pushed their lead to 37-25 midway through the second quarter. A layup and triple from Brianna Gillig (New Riegel) cut Franklin's lead to 10 (42-32) going into the break.
A quick Britney Ballard triple pushed Franklin's lead to 45-32. Bluffton's defense continued to struggle as the Grizzlies went up by as many as 22 (57-35) and Bluffton managed just 10 points to make the score 63-42 going into the final stanza.
Gillig hit the first shot in the paint followed by a Kylie Brock (Villa Hills, KY/Dixie Heights) three and layup to cut the Beaver deficit to 69-49. The Grizzly offense proved to be too much for Bluffton to handle as the home team secured the 81-53 victory.
Getting it done was again was Gillig who led the Beaver offense with a career-high tying 25 points while also pulling down a game-high 12 boards in her third career double-double. Mills chipped in 10 points and four steals while Brock bucketed seven markers.
Bluffton connected on just 16-of-51 (31.4 percent) of their shots and 2-of-14 (14.3 percent) from deep. Players not named Gillig made only 8-of-39 from field for less than 20 percent shooting. Franklin saw slightly better numbers, going 33-of-78 (42.3 percent) from the field and 8-of-23 (34.8 percent) from distance. The Beavers hit 19-of-28 (67.9 percent) from the charity strip, while the Grizzlies bucketed 7-of-9 (77.8 percent) at the line. Bluffton forced seven more turnovers (22-15), but pulled down 13 fewer boards (50-37).
The women will have a week off to work on their final exams before they return to action on Saturday, Dec. 14, when they welcome Rose-Hulman to Copeland Court. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. with the men's game to follow at 3 p.m.
