Men's Basketball: Cold Shooting in the Second Half Haunts Bison in Loss to Beavers

Drew VonScio, Student Assistant for Athletic Communications 

BLUFFTON, Ohio – Bethany College took on Bluffton University this afternoon in the consolation match of the McDonald's Holiday Tournament still in search of their first win of the season. Despite leading after the first 20 minutes of play, the Bison fell to the tournament hosts 67-57.

Just like last night's contest, the Bison struck first inside the opening minute; Troy Hixson made a free throw followed by a Chance Wells jump shot. Cole Dailey made a layup a few minutes later to turn the lead back in Bethany's favor. Bluffton would then slowly but surely fight their way back into the game and lead by five halfway through the first frame. A three-pointer from Julian McGee reinstated a Bison lead 19-18. The Green and White quickly led by five with a pair of jumpers from Hixson. The teams went back and forth down the stretch and even added some drama as the buzzer sounded when Hixson put up a three just before the horn sounded to send Bethany into the break ahead by a point.

The Beavers went on a rampage to start the second half as they opened on a 12-3 run through the first three minutes and change. Immediately following a timeout, Dailey dropped in a layup. The deficit of six points quickly doubled as the Bison were chasing the game once again. A 9-0 run in favor of Bethany saw them battle back within four points as Dailey scored a duo of layups, Hixson knocked in two foul shots, and Wells connected from outside the arc. The four-point was the closest that the Bison would come the rest of the way. Hixson tacked on a pair of triples inside the final three minutes that kept the Green and White within two possessions, but Bluffton would tack on the final five points of the contest.

Hixson led all scorers with a whopping 24 points as he shot 8-15 from the field while adding five rebounds. Wells put up 11 points while also contributing eight boards and six assists, and Dailey also scored 11 with five rebounds. TJ Jenkins led the team with nine rebounds off of the bench. Bethany returns to conference play in the new year on January 3 when they host local-rival, Franciscan. Tip-off is at 7:00 p.m.