Box Score LOCATION: Bluffton, Ohio (Sommer Center)
THE BASICS
Mount St. Joseph University (7-5, 4-1 HCAC) triumphs over Bluffton University (8-4,3-2 HCAC) 81-67 in a game that featured two teams tied atop the HCAC.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Mount St. Joseph started off the game on fire from the field, shooting an outstanding 69.3 percent (16-23) from the field in the first half. Still with 5 minutes to play in the first half the Lions only led 30-26. A 9-2 run to close the first half would help the Mount carry an 11 point lead into the break.
The second half started with much of the same for the Lions, as the lead grew to 20 by the 16 minute mark. From that point Bluffton began to chip into the lead, cutting it to 10 at 71-61 with 5:26 to play. The Lions sealed the win by going a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line to finish the game.
The Lions shot an outstand 60.4 percent (29-48) from the field and 53.8 percent (7-13) from the behind the arc. The team also managed to commit only four turnovers in the game. This helped them overcome a decided edge on the boards, especially the offensive boards, as the Beavers picked up 16 offensive rebounds to the Mounts three. That stat helped the Beavers to get off 16 more shots than the Lions.
The win helped the Lions keep pace atop the HCAC with a 4-1 conference record.
STANDOUTS
The Lions were carried offensively in the first half by Tyler Manaugh, who scored 14 of his career-high 17 points in the first half on 6 of 7 shooting from the field and 2-3 from behind the 3-point line. In his second game back from injury senior Femi Thompson returned to form with 14 points, going a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line and 6-for-6 over the final two minutes of the game to help seal the win.
UP NEXT
The Lions take on the Grizzlies of Franklin College at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the Harrington Center.
