Thursday, January 31, 2013
by Dane Neumeister

Mount forward David Mann (Fairfield, OH/Cincinnati Christian) collected his first double-double of the season, and three teammates finished in double-figures for the Lions, as the Mount posted a 70-64 HCAC home win over Bluffton University on Wednesday night. The Lions, 7-13 overall and 6-7 in the HCAC, now have sole possession of sixth place in the conference standings, which would enable them to play in the HCAC Tournament. They return to action on Feb. 2 when they host an HCAC game against Defiance College.

The Mount led by a 32-27 score at the half, thanks to a strong first half by Mann, who fired in 17 points on seven-of-11 shooting, including three-of-five from behind the three-point arc. Mann also chipped in seven first half rebounds, as the Lions shot 50 percent from the field en route to a five-point margin at the half.

The Lions' lead would expand to 10 points, 44-34 by the 15:23 mark of the second half, when Ken Kunkel (Cincinnati, OH/Colerain) made a jump shot. The Beavers would clamp down defensively on the Lions throughout the rest of the second half, however, as they would cut into the score deficit to 58-54 after a free throw with 6;18 to play in the game, and would close to within three points, 63-60, with just under two minutes left. They would get no closer as the Lions swept the two-game season series over Bluffton. The Mount was out-shot in the second half from the field, 60 to 48 percent, but made 15-of-16 free throws in the final 20 minutes of play to the Beavers' seven-of-14 from the charity stripe.

Mann led all players with 24 points and 12 rebounds, while Kunkel chipped in 14 points. Andy Countryman (Peebles, OH/Peebles) had 12 points for the Lions, while teammate Joel Scudder (Greendale, IN/South Dearborn) scored 11 points.