Beaver sports recap, December 30-31

Women's Basketball, Dec. 30
The Bluffton University women's basketball team wrapped up the 2022 McDonald's Holiday Classic with a 54-43 loss to the Denison University Big Red. The Beavers fell to 7-4 on the season while Denison improved to 5-6.

Denison outshot Bluffton from the field, hitting 22-of-58 (37.9 percent), compared to an ice-cold 15-of-62 (24.2 percent) for the home team. The Beavers did better from beyond the arc, going 7-of-20 (35 percent) while the Big Red hit just 5-of-19 (26.3 percent). Both teams attempted eight charity shots with Bluffton knocking down six (75 percent) and Denison five (62.5 percent).

The visitors put up 28 points in the paint with the home team hitting just half of that at 14. Denison pulled down 15 more rebounds (50-35), however, the Big Red turned the ball over 10 more times as Bluffton finished with just six miscues.

The women will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 4, when they welcome HCAC-rival Defiance College to Copeland Court. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.

Men's Basketball, Dec. 31

ANDERSON, Ind.--The Bluffton University men's basketball team dropped a 93-50 decision at Anderson on New Year's Eve. Anderson improved to 6-5 overall with a perfect 4-0 mark in the Heartland Conference. Bluffton fell to 3-8 and 1-3 in the HCAC.

Bluffton hit 17-of-58 (29.3 percent) from the field, including a paltry 4-for-19 (21.1 percent) outside the arc. Bluffton also struggled to a 12-of-24 (50 percent) afternoon at the stripe. Anderson pulled down 10 more rebounds (45-35) and the visitors turned it over six more times (19-13).

The Beavers will regroup before welcoming long-time rival Defiance College to the Sommer Center on Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2023. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m. following the women's matchup with the Yellow Jackets.