Bluffton, Ohio—With impending winter weather arriving in the Ohio area, the Mount St. Joseph University Men's Basketball program traveled to Bluffton University. This game was originally scheduled for Wednesday, February 2. Entering this game, the Lions carried a 7-11 record, with one of those wins coming against Bluffton earlier in the season. In impressive fashion, the Lions were able to win their eighth win of the season 64-59.
Bluffton started the game quickly, scoring their first bucket of the game 15 seconds in. However, it took no time for Brady Thomas to locate Jack Kolar for three points. The Lions would score once again on their next trip as Thomas found Senior Devin Young for a layup. Following this quick five-point run, Bluffton would respond, scoring eight of their own unanswered. This run would see the Lions trailing 10-5 with 16:16 left to play.
Both teams would continue to trade scores, before Spencer Kinnett would go to the line, converting both attempts to give the Mount a 17-16 lead. This lead would grow following a defensive stop and Evan Wiehe finding Alex Totton deep. Bluffton would once again crawl back into the contest before the Lions would grow their largest separation of the evening as the hot-handed Young scored on consecutive trips and David Luers finished a layup.
The closing four minutes of the opening half would see Bluffton bring the game to 31-29. However, the Lions would carry the momentum to the locker room thanks to a score by Totton. This was followed up by a huge stop on the defensive end, that sprung a long possession by the Lions that ended when Wiehe would grab an offensive board and find Willard Cluxton for a layup. This sent the game to the break 35-29.
The second half of action started with both teams exchanging scores. It was Young who would establish the first double-digit lead for the Lions, finishing a tough layup. This would spring a small Beavers run, scoring four unanswered to bring the score to 41-35. The trend of exchanged scores would continue well into the 10-minute mark, seeing scores from Young, Thomas, and a deep-ball from Kolar.
With 8:44 left to play, Young would convert a shot from behind the charity stripe to gain another double-digit advantage. Bluffton would find themselves right in the game after scoring on three consecutive possessions to bring the score to 56-51. The following three minutes of action would see a Young deep-ball to keep the Beavers at arm's length but was followed by two scores on back-to-back possessions by the Beavers.
1:18 left to play, Young would feed Tanner Clos for a layup to push them ahead six. On the ensuing Bluffton touch, they would net a jumper. Pressed for time, the Beavers would be forced to foul, attempting to save time, this would send Clos to the line twice, netting three of his four attempts, before Bluffton would notch one final score at the buzzers. This saw the Lions come home with a 64-59 victory.
The Lions earned an all-around team win, seeing scoring contributions from nine players. Young led the team in scoring with 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists. Kolar would contribute 12 points on 4-7 shooting. Clos earned 11 points and 4 rebounds.
The Lions will be back in action on Saturday, February 5 when they host Manchester University. This game is scheduled to start at 1PM at the Harrington Center. For continued coverage of this upcoming HCAC battle and all other MSJ Athletics continue to follow msjlions.com
