By Keisha Holtsberry
The Bluffton University women’s basketball team fell to Anderson University on Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013. The Beavers dropped to 10-11 overall and 5-9 in the Heartland Conference, while Anderson improved to 6-15 overall and 5-9 in the HCAC.
The Bluffton loss, which was a mirror reversal of the contest in the Sommer Center three weeks ago, damaged the Beavers' chances of earning a berth in the Heartland Conference as Rose-Hulman upset HCAC-leading Transylvania for a two-game lead with just four to play.
Anderson came out ready to rock and needed just eight minutes to put the game out of reach with a 21-point lead.
The Beavers worked hard over the next five minutes to cut into Anderson’s lead and following two foul shots from freshman Brooke Ruffer (Stryker), the deficit was down to 15. Anderson quickly responded, making it a 22-point spread.
Ruffer's old-fashioned three-point play at the 2:54 mark trimmed Anderson’s lead to 15 once again. The home team answered swiftly and by the end of the period they were up, 44-20.
The defenses came out and ruled early in the second half, leading to a scoreless four minutes following the break.
Anderson dropped in a three-pointer to start off the scoring before Bluffton countered with a 13-0 run to cut Anderson’s lead to 14. Junior Lauren Hutton (New Riegel) scored eight of the 13 points with two layups, a jumper and two foul shots.
The Beavers continued to battle for the remainder of the afternoon, but Anderson responded with force, finishing the game with a 24-point victory, 72-48.
The visitors were led by Hutton with 12 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Ruffer was not far behind with seven points and six boards.
Bluffton was just 17-of-51 (33.3 percent) from the field, while Anderson went 22-of-48 (45.8 percent). The Beavers were 1-of-10 (10.0 percent) from behind the arc, compared to Anderson which went 6-of-12 (50.0 percent).
The women return to action on Wednesday, Feb. 6, when they host Manchester in a crucial Heartland Conference contest. The tip is slated for 7:30 p.m. in the Sommer Center.
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