Millikin University 74, Indiana University East 58
Millikin handles Indiana University East 74-58 in consolation game of McDonald's Tournament
By Bill Hanefeld Jr., sports information director
December 30, 2005
BLUFFTON, Ohio –The Millikin University men’s basketball team (9-6) overcame an outstanding performance from Bob Beshears, who was named to the All-Tournament team, to win the consolation game of the McDonald’s of Bluffton Holiday Tournament 74-58 over Indiana University East (5-8) on Friday, December 30, 2005 in Founders Hall.
The Pioneers struck first when Beshears freed himself in the paint to put IU East up 2-0. The lead was short lived as Mike Gavic capped a 12-4 Millikin run with a trey to give the Big Blue a 12-6 lead six minutes into the game. Reid Jones knocked down a long range triple to put Millikin up 24-12, but Beshears scored nine points during a three-minute span to help trim the gap to five points at the six minute mark after Cory Ross hit a layup. Jones answered with a pair of trifectas to push the Big Blue advantage to 11. Beshears scored four consecutive points in the final minute of the first half to keep the Pioneers within striking range (42-31) at the break.
The teams traded buckets early in the second half until Jones dropped in another triple to put Millikin up 50-35 at the 16 minute mark. A Ross three-pointer and a layup by A. J. Bucholz cut the deficit to 10 points before Millikin put the game on ice with an 11-2 run which was capped by six consecutive points from All-Tournament selection Korte Long. Each time the Pioneers appeared ready to slice into the Millikin lead the Big Blue found one of its talented post players in the key for an easy basket. A Seth Rummel jumper closed the gap to 14 points at the 1:39 mark, but that was as close as the Pioneers would get as Greg Jumps closed the scoring with a layup to propel Millikin to a 74-58 victory over Indiana University East.
Millikin placed four players in double digits and they were led by Jones who scored 17 points on 5-7 shooting from outside the arc. Gavic finished with 14 points as he dialed long distance four times. Long followed up his monster Thursday night performance with 11 points and eight rebounds to finish the tournament with 32 points and 23 boards. Drew Gensler ran the show for Millikin as he dished out five assists and scored 10 points. For the game Millikin knocked down 9-19 treys (47 percent).
Beshears scored a tournament-high 26 points and hauled in 12 rebounds to lead the Pioneers. For the tournament he tallied 39 points, 15 rebounds, eight assists and five blocks. Ross finished with 18 points on 4-9 shooting from beyond the arc.
