BLUFFTON, Ohio - November 26, 2023 - Trent Jakacki exploded for a career-high 37 points in Hiram's 87-79 loss to Bluffton on Sunday afternoon inside the Sommer Center.

The 37 points is the most in a game by a Hiram student-athlete since January 2014, when Aaron Stefanov scored 40 points against DePauw.

Also chipping in for the Terriers were Manuel Devora Violan and Josh Kester, who each had 11 points as backcourt reserves. Ivan Yang continued his rebounding surge with 16 boards in the game; the junior is averaging the most rebounds per game (15.2) in all of Division III this season.

Hiram didn't trail for the first 5:52 of the contest, with Jakacki scoring 7 of the team's first 9 points. Jakacki's early production eventually led to his new team-high scoring average of 23.2 PPG.

Bluffton would gain an 11-9 lead and wouldn't look back, holding that advantage for the remainder of the game. Five different opposing student-athletes scored in double-figures.

Jakacki would finish the first half with 20 points and added another 17 in the second half. Yang was a consistent presence in the painted area, recording 6 of his 16 rebounds on the offensive end, which lifted the Terriers to a 24-17 advantage in second-chance points.

The Terriers were able to cut the margin to two points late in the second half thanks to a 14-5 run that was capped off by a Jakacki layup with 2:52 remaining in regulation. Bluffton would answer by scoring 8 of the last 10 points to seal the non-conference battle.

Hiram will open conference play on Wednesday, when it hosts Denison at approximately 8 p.m. following the conclusion of the women's game at 6 p.m.