Box Score
Host Bluffton University connected on eight-of-nine free throws and made four-of-five shots in overtime, as they posted a 74-64 overtime victory over the Lions. The Mount, 7-13 overall, 3-10 in the HCAC, will resume action on Feb. 4 at Defiance College in HCAC action.
Bluffton held the lead most of the first half in the game, shooting 59 percent from the field. They were particularly effective in the paint, out-scoring the Lions 18-2 from close range in the opening 20 minutes of play, holding a 27-25 lead at the break. They pushed their advantage out to 34-29 with 17:03 to play, before the Mount started their comeback. David Mann (Fairfield, OH/Cincinnati Christian) and Clifford Cass (Cincinnati, OH/Mt. Healthy) helped lead the Lions comeback, as they led by a 46-40 margin with 10:54 to play. They would hold the lead until 3:42 to play in the game, when Bluffton converted a lay-up to grab a 54-53 advantage. With the score tied at 55-all, Andy Countryman (Peebles, OH/Peebles) hit a three-point shot with 50 seconds to play to give the Mount a 58-55 lead. Bluffton would connect on a three-pointer with 29 seconds remaining to tie the game at 58-all. The Mount missed a shot at the buzzer, sending the game into overtime.
The Beavers would grab the first lead of the overtime, at the 4:51 mark, and after a 60-all tie with 4:25 to play, they would take control of the game as they raced out to a 71-61 lead with 55 seconds remaining. The Mount connected on just two-of-eight field goal shots, and two-of-four free throws in the extra period.
Mann finished with 16 points and five rebounds, while David Lane (Hamilton, OH/Ross) added 13 points. Cass chipped in 10 points and five rebounds. Bluffton won the battle of the boards, 30-23, and committed 15 turnovers to the Mount's 14 miscues.
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