
A feature article by Miles Morey
The Anderson University men’s basketball team is in the midst of another historic season during the 2024-25 campaign.
The Ravens have won nine of their last 10 games, the sole defeat coming to Division I foe Ball State. The surge has placed AU firmly atop the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference standings at 15-3 and 10-1 overall, with the most recent triumph coming Saturday at Mount St. Joseph. Coach Carter Collins’ squad is aiming for the regular season title and its third straight HCAC tournament championship, which would ultimately result in an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the third consecutive season.
These are unquestionably heady times for the Ravens, and last Wednesday’s showdown with Franklin at O.C. Lewis Gymnasium was representative of the roll the team has experienced.
The Ravens faced off against the visiting Grizzlies in a highly anticipated HCAC tilt, with both teams entering the matchup holding impressive 8-1 conference records. The stakes were high and the game did not disappoint, delivering intense action, dramatic comebacks and memorable moments that left fans on the edge of their seats.
Thanks to a record-setting performance from Tate Ivanyo, the Ravens pulled out a 77-62 victory to place Anderson atop the conference.
“I’m definitely happy with our effort and focus [on Wednesday],” head coach Carter Collins said in an Anderson Ravens press release. “I thought that we came ready to play, executed our plan of attack, and we were backed by great home support by the student section and everyone else that came out.”

Anderson initially struggled to find its rhythm, quickly falling behind 8-0 as Franklin capitalized on early opportunities. Despite the rocky start, the Ravens managed to get on the board, but Franklin maintained the upper hand with a 14-7 advantage. After the Grizzlies called a timeout, Collins rallied the team.
The Ravens returned to the court with renewed energy and determination, sinking two 3-pointers and some layups. Kenney Troutman tied the game at 16-all with a 3-point shot.
Anderson poured on the pressure as the clock neared halftime. Bryce Williams completed a spectacular layup with three minutes remaining, helping the Ravens end the half up 37-30.
However, the start of the second half exposed weaknesses in Anderson’s defense. Miscommunication left gaps in their coverage, and Franklin capitalized.
Collins used a timeout called by Franklin to motivate his players to increase their energy and communication.
Anderson took their coach’s advice and attacked the game with renewed energy. With nine minutes remaining, Ivanyo sank a 3-pointer then stole the ball from Franklin on the next play, taking the ball back for a dunk that propelled the Ravens to a 63-49 lead.
The Ravens kept momentum with an 11-point run, holding Franklin scoreless for nearly three minutes. Rob Davidson and Ivanyo both sank jump shots and some free throws off of Franklin’s fouls left the score at 76-54 with just five minutes on the clock.
Franklin pushed back, making a layup and dunk to close the gap Anderson created, but the Grizzlies couldn’t change the tide. The game ended with the Ravens emerging victorious, 77-62.
Ivanyo paced the Ravens with a game-high 22 points, adding eight rebounds, two assists and a steal.

According to the Anderson University Athletic Department, Ivanyo set a new scoring record for Anderson at the Division III level, surpassing 2018 alumnus Trevor Lucas’ mark of 1,522 points.
Ivanyo now has 1,544 career points, good for seventh all-time in program history.
Ivanyo also surpassed the all-time 3-pointers made record for the program with 230, eclipsing 2017 alumnus Nathaniel Acree’s mark of 229.
Davidson notched 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and six steals, while Bryce Williams chipped in 12 points, four rebounds, and seven assists.
Axel Laby added eight points, six rebounds, four steals, and a block, while Elisha Moore poured in eight points, one rebound, and one assist off the bench.
Troutman secured five points, two rebounds, and a steal, while Marco Beverly put up five points, five rebounds, three steals, and a block.
Nolan Swan rounded out the team with four points, one rebound, two assists, and a steal.
Anderson won its first HCAC tournament title in the 2022-23 season before repeating last season. The Ravens are searching to become just the third team in league history to win three conference tournament titles in a row, joining Hanover and Rose-Hulman.
“We’re sitting in a good spot right now, but we still have a lot of work to do, ” Carter said in an Anderson Ravens press release.
AU will look to continue its winning streak this Wednesday when it travels to Earlham.