CINCINNATI, Ohio - The Mount St. Joseph men's basketball team moved to 5-3 on the season after a one-point win over Bluffton to open HCAC play on Wednesday.
In the early going of the game the score was tight, as over the first five minutes neither team led by more than two points. At the 14:49 mark the Lions held a two-point advantage at 9-7. A quick 8-0 spurt by the Beavers gave them the early advantage, but the Lions answered with an 8-0 run of their own to regain the lead. They would not trail again the rest of the first half taking a 38-35 lead into the break.
In the early part of the second half the Mount stretched their lead to a game-high nine points. Each time they looked to extend their lead Bluffton would answer with a run to get them back within striking distance. They would come all the way back, taking a 67-66 lead at the 6:23 to play. On the Lions next offensive possession
Matthew Menninger drilled a huge three-pointer to regain the lead. A layup from
Joe Brand and a three-pointer from
Josh Batter would push the lead back to eight with 4:13 to play. The Beavers would answer with a six-point run to get back within two. The Lions missed a three to go ahead five, but an offensive rebound by
Jason Lavender led to a
Elisha Jones baseline jumper to put them back up four. A late three pointer would draw Bluffton within one with just .03 seconds to play. All the Lions needed to do was inbound the ball successfully to secure the win, and despite high pressure from Bluffton they were able to do so.
Menninger was fantastic in the game for the Lions leading a quartet of double-figure scorers. The junior scored a game-high 21-points and was a perfect 7-for-7 from the field including 3-for-3 from deep. He also added five rebounds, four blocks, 2 assists and a steal. Jones (19), Batte (12) and
Luke Collinsworth (10) were the other Lions in double-figures.
Michael Loftis gave the Lions a big boost of the bench scoring nine in 21 minutes of action.
UP NEXT:
The Lions will once again be at home, welcoming Transylvania to the Harrington Center on Saturday for another HCAC contest.
