Jay Grubb
77
Pitt-Greensburg UPG 1-2
80
Winner Bluffton BU-M 1-1
Pitt-Greensburg UPG
1-2
77
Final
80
Bluffton BU-M
1-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Pitt-Greensburg UPG 37 40 77
Bluffton BU-M 31 49 80

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Bluffton Edges Men's Basketball 80-77 Saturday Afternoon

MEADVILLE- Aaron Rich's three-pointer with 52 seconds left broke a 73-73 tie and propelled Bluffton (1-1) to an 80-77 victory over the Pitt-Greensburg men's basketball team (1-2) Saturday afternoon at the Greg Richards '08 Memorial Classic hosted by Allegheny College. 

Matt Johnson's jumper tied the game at 73 for Pitt-Greensburg and the game would remain tied with under a minute left until Rich's three-pointer with 53 seconds left. Dezman three-point attempt came up short with 1:02 left, but Bluffton managed to corral the offensive rebound and Rich made the most of the extra possession drilling home the long-range attempt. 

The game remained in the balance over the final minute of play, but the Beavers knocked down 4-of-5 at the line to hold off the late charge from the Bobcats. 

For a second-straight night, senior Kyle Bondi led the way offensively for Pitt-Greensburg tallying 17 points in 18 minutes on 6-of-9 from the field. Johnson was also in double-figures with 11 points and hit all four of his free-throw opportunities. Both Bondi and Johnson came off the bench and gave Pitt-Greensburg great production from its non-starters, recording 44 bench points compared to just 12 for Bluffton. 

Following a three-pointer from Brown to put the Beavers in front 3-0, Cody Spaid came right back with back-to-back baskets to put Pitt-Greensburg in front for the remainder of the half. The Bobcats led for much of the opening 20 minutes and would go into the halftime break leading 37-31. 

The Bobcats shot 45 % (13-29) in the first half compared to just 38% (12-32) for Bluffton, but the Beavers ramped up their defense in the second half, forcing eight Bobcat turnovers. Pitt-Greensburg turned the ball over just five times in the opening half, but the Beavers increased their defensive pressure forcing eight second half turnovers and turned the extra possessions in 11 points compared to just three for Pitt-Greensburg. For the game, Bluffton tallied 18 points off turnovers to just three for the Bobcats. 

Pitt-Greensburg returns to Chambers Hall Tuesday night for its final contest before Thanksgiving, as it plays host to Messiah College. Tuesday's matchup is set to begin at 7 pm. 
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