2005 Heartland Conference men's tournament pairings
HANOVER, Ind. – The Bluffton University men’s basketball team (14-13) was defeated 77-67 in the HCAC tournament semifinals by Hanover College (22-5) on Feb. 25.
Junior Scott Bergman (Elmore/Woodmore) posted a game-high 27 points and led the Beavers with nine rebounds and four assists. Sophomore Michael Anthony (Ohio City/Delphos St. John’s) posted 16 points. Junior Eric Sweet (Ottawa/Ottawa-Glandorf) rounded off the double figure scoring with 14 points and led the team with three blocks.
Hanover jumped out to a quick lead in the first half, 10-5, only for the Beavers to tie the game at 10 each early in the period. The Panthers then made good use of critical Bluffton turnovers (five in first half) as they widened their lead to 15 at halftime 41-26. The Beavers shot only 35 percent (8-of-23) in the first period to Hanover’s 48 percent (17-of-35).
The Panthers controlled the floor for the first part of the second period as they widened their lead to 24 points (55-31) with sixteen minutes left in the game. Bluffton battled back to squeeze Hanover’s lead to ten (65-55) with six minutes remaining but could not overcome the Panther’s lead. The final outcome would give Hanover the win 77-67.
The Beavers shot 43 percent (19-of-44) for the contest compared to Hanover’s 48 percent (29-of-60). The Panther’s led on the battle of the boards with 36 rebounds to Bluffton’s 23.
