Bluffton University’s men’s and women’s basketball season ended in squeakers last night. Game recaps follow:

Women’s game
The Bluffton University women's basketball team put their season on the line as they hosted the Anderson University Ravens in the quarter-final round of the HCAC postseason tournament on Wednesday, March 3.

After a hard-fought battle and an exciting game, the Beavers saw their season come to its conclusion with a stunning 62-60 loss to AU. Bluffton finished its 2020-21 campaign with a 14-6 mark, while Anderson heads to Transylvania this weekend with a 7-6 record.

Just three and half minutes into the game, the home team took a commanding 11-2 lead. Those 11 markers came from a plethora of Beavers, including Brianna Gillig (New Riegel), Emma Saltzman (Arcadia) and a three by Sammy Shardo (Findlay/Liberty Benton). Anderson responded with a 9-0 run of its own, tying the game at 11 apiece. The Ravens hit a late three for a one-point lead (18-17) heading into the second period.

A minute and thirty seconds into the second quarter, Gillig dialed up a three from senior Kylie Brock (Villa Hills Ky./Dixie Heights). Maddie Fitzpatrick (Mount Gilead) hit two free throws with 30 seconds remaining to give the Beavers a 30-29 advantage heading into half.

The Ravens got off to a very hot start in the second half, jumping out to a 36-31 lead. At the seven-minute mark, freshman signal-caller Maddie Fitzpatrick knocked down a jump shot thanks to an assist from senior Nora Hemminger (McComb). Gillig followed with an old-fashioned three-point play, knotting the game at 36 apiece. The Ravens went on another scoring run, but Shardo drained her second triple to pull Bluffton within three. Heading into the final stanza, Bluffton trailed by three (48-45).

Two minutes into the fourth quarter Anderson still controlled the scoreboard, leading Bluffton 52-47. A layup by Brock at the 4:30 mark made it a three-point game heading into the final stretch. For the next three minutes, they traded buckets as the Beavers still trailed by three with just under two minutes to play. Anderson was able to knock down five freebies during the final 40 seconds to seal the 62-60 win.

Four Beavers put up double digits on Wednesday night as Gillig had a team-high 20 points, followed by Fitzpatrick will 12. The duo of Shardo and Saltzman both netted 10 apiece. Gillig also led the team in rebounds with 14 for her 15th career double-double, while Saltzman hauled in nine as well. Gillig's first rebound on Wednesday night gave the junior 500 for her career!

The home team won the rebounding battle (40-36). Both teams took care of the ball with Anderson (6) and Bluffton (8) only committing 14 total miscues. Bluffton shot 35 percent from the field, going 18-of-52, while Anderson edged them out, going 21-of-56 for 37.5 percent. Bluffton was efficient from distance, going 4-of-9 for 44.4 percent, and the Beavers also took advantage at the charity stripe, hitting 20-of-24 for 83.3 percent.

Men’s game
The Beavers lost a tough one on Wednesday, March 3, seeing their season come to its conclusion.

While it was a close game from tip to the final buzzer, the Grizzlies held on to defeat the Beavers 55-51. With the loss Bluffton fell to a final record of 11-5, while Franklin will now move on to face Manchester in the HCAC semifinals this weekend.

The Beavers started out hot from deep in the first half, shooting a startling 45.3 percent from behind the 3-point line. Junior guard Jameel Cosby (Springfield/Kenton Ridge) led the charge with nine points, shooting 2-of-4 from deep. Backcourt partner Dezman Brown (Elyria) added six of his own thanks to 2-of-3 from distance. Sophomore post AJ Kenney (Marion/River Valley) tossed in his own four points to go along with two rebounds. Marcus Peaks (Pataskala/Watkins Memorial) put work in in his 5 minutes on the court scoring 4 points on 2/3 from the field. Despite the Beavers strong half, they trailed the Grizzlies 31-28 at the half.

The second half was rough for both teams with neither squad shooting over 40 percent from the field (Bluffton 34.6 percent, Franklin 39.1 percent). Reserve guard Mike Ketner (Minster) had a big half, willing the Beavers to stay in the game with six huge points as he knocked down two clutch 3's. Cosby and Brown both added four points in the second stanza. Despite the effort on both ends of the court, the home team could not get over the hump while dropping a 55-51 decision.

Bluffton finished just 19-of-57 (33.3 percent) from the field, compared to 20-of-48 (41.7 percent) for the Grizzlies. Franklin ripped down eight more rebounds (40-32) and both teams were exceptional with the basketball as Bluffton turned it over just six times and Franklin seven. The visitors finished with a 32-20 edge in paint points thanks to a 9-of-12 night for Payton Mills (18 points).

Cosby and Brown led the Beavers with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Marcus Bruns (Coldwater) led the home team with eight boards off the bench.