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Bluffton College erased a seven-point deficit with less than nine minutes remaining in regulation to forced overtime, but a visiting Transylvania University squad out-scored the Beavers 18-8 in the extra session to claim a 76-66 win Saturday afternoon in Founders Hall.
Bluffton shot 65% from the floor in the first half but still trailed 36-32 at the intermission. The Beavers held Transy to a 26.9% shooting clip in the second half and Bluffton went on an 8-0 to take a 56-55 lead with 3:17 to play.
The two teams hit just one field goal in the final three minutes of regulation, which ended at a 58-58 tie as a Bluffton shot missed its mark at the final buzzer. In overtime, BC starters Eric Sweet and Marcus Bixler fouled out and the Pioneers hit 6-of-8 shots to take control early and knock off Bluffton in Founders Hall for the second year in a row.
Bluffton, which has won at Transylvania for two years in a row including last season in overtime and this season 93-83 on Jan. 18, out-rebounded the Pioneers 39-31 and hit 16-of-19 free throws for a season-best 84.2%, but committed a season-high 26 turnovers.
Bluffton falls to 10-13 overall and 4-9 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, while Transy improves to 10-12 overall and 4-8 in the HCAC.
Senior Mike Leimeister collected his 10th career double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, but was held nine points under his season average as he moves closer to the 1000 point mark for his career. He now has 974 points, all but two of which have come in his junior and senior seasons.
Junior Brad Boyles scored a team-high 17 points to lead Bluffton and freshman Simeon Talley scored 11 points in his first collegiate start.
Matt Finke and Derek Springate both scored 17 points to lead Transylvania.
Bluffton will travel to Defiance Wednesday night at 7:30 for the Beavers final HCAC game of the season.
