TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology shot 67% from the field in the second half, led by 21 points in the final 20 minutes by sophomore Charlie Aimone, to earn a 79-70 men's basketball victory over Bluffton University on Saturday at Hulbert Arena.
Aimone finished 9-12 from the field and 3-5 from three-point range with a career-high 27 points along with eight rebounds. The Fightin' Engineers trailed 36-25 at the half, but hit 67% from the field, 44% from three-point range and 91% on the free throw line in the second 20 minutes.
Sophomore Nick McGrail tied a career-high with 13 points on a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. McGrail also tied Aimone with a team-high eight rebounds.
Senior Collin Wojcik came off the bench with nine points, and junior Stephen Schueth added eight poinst and six rebounds. Junior Kyle Steckel had a career-high eight assists to go along with five points and was matched with five points by senior Wade Stallings.
Bluffton jumped out to an 11-point halftime by shooting 44% from the field and holding the Fightin' Engineers to 25% in the opening half. Austin Rohde led the Beavers with 23 points. Jared Wentling and Justis Dowdy reached double figures with 15 points and 10 points.
Rose-Hulman relied on a 16-4 run to open the second half to gain the lead at 41-40 with 15:26 left on a score by Steckel. The teams battled to ties at 49-49, 51-51 and 53-53, before Bluffton again gained the lead at 59-57 on a three-pointer by Rohde with 6:12 left.
Aimone hit two three-pointers and Schueth added another to push Rose-Hulman in front 68-63 at the 4:41 mark. Another Aimone trey, followed by an Aimone layup, made the score 73-68 in the Fightin' Engineer favor with 1:46 left to secure the victory.
Rose-Hulman improved to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in HCAC play, while Bluffton dropped to 6-2 and 1-2 in league games. The Fightin' Engineers return to action next Saturday at Transylvania University.
