The Anderson University men's basketball team fell to Bluffton University in an 81-71 decision during Saturday's Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) matchup in Bluffton, Ohio.
"It was a disappointing loss for us," Coach Owen Handy said. "We were outplayed and outcoached. It's always tempting to look for deeper answers, but sometimes you just get beat and [on Saturday] we got beat."
Bluffton (8-7, 4-4) took a 27-17 lead with 6 minutes, 5 seconds in the first half. Anderson (8-7, 5-3) then cut the lead to 33-30 with 1:44 left in the half. The Beavers led the Ravens 38-33 at halftime.
As Bluffton held a single-digit lead during the second half, the Ravens came back and took a 59-58 lead with 9:04 to go. The Beavers separated by responding with a 16-4 run during the next 4:52.
"I was proud of how we fought back into the game, but we took a lead in the second half and then showed very little discipline at either end of the floor: fundamental lapses on defense and empty offensive possessions."
Bluffton converted 25-of-47 (53.2 percent) shots from the field and 1-of-4 (25 percent) attempts from 3-point range. Anderson hit 25-of-59 (42.4 percent) shots from the floor and 7-of-22 (31.8 percent) attempts from behind the arc.
The Beavers drained 30-of-39 (76.9 percent) shots from the free-throw line and the Ravens made 14-of-20 (70 percent) attempts from the charity stripe.
Both Bluffton and Anderson each committed 16 turnovers. The Beavers outscored the Ravens 21-15 off turnovers.
Bluffton held a 35-29 rebounding advantage.
The Ravens topped the Beavers 13-7 on second-chance points.
Maurice Knight led the Ravens with 26 points and six rebounds. Malik Laffoon tallied 16 points. Ronny Williams provided 14 points, Austin Lyons contributed eight points and Jake Gudorf produced three points. Larry Johnson and Tate Cooper each rounded out Anderson's scoring effort with two points.
Anderson and Hanover College (11-4, 5-3) are tied for second in the HCAC standings. The two teams are scheduled to clash next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. in O.C. Lewis Gymnasium. Anderson then battles Transylvania University (8-7, 4-4) in HCAC action next Saturday at 5 p.m. in Lexington, Ky.
