BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Mount St. Joseph men's basketball team opened Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference play with at trip to take on the Beavers of Bluffton on Wednesday. A slow offensive start put the Lions behind early, eventually leading to a 57-50 loss to the Beavers.
The Lions played well early, holding a 15-13 lead with 8:10 to play in the first half. Bluffton though outscored the Mount 12-4 to end the first half leading 28-19. Both teams struggled offensively near the end of the half as each went scoreless over the final 2:59 of action.
In the second half the Mount went to work cutting into the Bluffton advantage, cutting the lead down to four on a pair of occasions. They would eventually cut the deficit to two with 7:06 to play as
Jack Kolar drilled a three-pointer. They could not get over the hump to tie or take the lead, as the Beavers continually answered to extend the lead. All-told the Mount outscored the Beavers 31-29 over the second-half but were unable to overcome the slow start, eventually falling 57-50.
Freshman
Kelvin Turner led the Lions with 17 points, adding 4 rebounds and an assist. Fellow freshman
Nate Kratzer got his first start of the season and led the team with a 9 rebound effort, adding 6 points.
UP NEXT:
The Lions will return to action this weekend as they head to take on HCAC foe the Ravens of Anderson. The game is scheduled for a 3:00 PM tip-off in Anderson, Indiana.
