BLUFFTON, Ohio - November 15, 2025 - For the first time since the 2015-16 season, Hiram men's basketball started the season with a 3-0 record following a 70-67 win over Bluffton on Saturday night.

It was a game that boiled down to free throws, as the Terriers scored each of their last 9 points from the charity stripe to hold onto the one-possession advantage. Brock Makrancy made a pair of free throws with four seconds remaining to make it a 3-point margin, which held through the final buzzer.

Makrancy finished with 11 points, joining Collin Jones (13), Josh Martin (12) and DJ Niles (12) as the team's double-digit scorers. Jones and Makrancy also combined for 17 rebounds.

In addition to the late free throws, Hiram also cashed in on its 3-pointers, with the team making nearly half of its attempts from beyond the arc (8-17). The balance of the roster continued to shine, too, with all five starters making at least two field goals.

Bluffton kept pace with the Terriers throughout, as the margin never expanded beyond 6 points in the first half and 10 points in the second half. The timely shooting of the road team, along with the solid play down the stretch, proved to be the difference.

Hiram will next be in action a week from Saturday, when they take on Pitt-Greensburg at 2 p.m. in PA.