TIFFIN, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team continued its winning ways on Tuesday, Nov. 25, with an 82-69 victory at Heidelberg University. The Beavers improved to 3-1 with their third straight win, while the Student Princes slipped to 1-2 on the young season.
A 10-2 spurt that was ignited by a Kaitlyn Pennekamp (Hamilton/Ross) hoop and harm and capped by her conventional three-pointer put Bluffton up 21-12 midway through the first half. The Beavers continued to control the action as six points from junior Taylor Whitaker (Mansfield/Ontario) pushed the lead to 38-24 with 2:32 on the clock.
The home team pulled within seven points (42-35) following an 11-4 run during the final 2:08 of period one. Brenna Kurilec (Mt. Gilead/Gilead Christian) and Pennekamp got to the rack to keep Heidelberg from getting any closer as the half wound down.
Bluffton reclaimed the momentum with a quick 8-0 jag in the first 2:28 of period two, forging a 50-35 advantage over the Student Princes. The defense was the story early in the second half as the Beavers limited Heidelberg to just three points in going up 56-38 with 13:38 to play.
The Beaver offense then went on hiatus for nearly four minutes until Mikayla Coburn (McGuffey/Upper Scioto Valley) hit from in close at the 10-minute mark, making the score 58-44. A pair of Kurilec deuces pushed the lead to 16 with 6:51 to play.
Heidelberg rolled off seven straight counters to get the lead down to single digits before Whitaker and Taylor Knight (Perrysburg) added two points each for a 70-58 spread.
Two Paige Ricketts free throws pulled Heidelberg within eight points, but the Beavers had yet another answer as Pennekamp drained a jumper and hit from distance during a 10-2 run that put the game on ice. Whitaker and freshman Macey Sheerer (Bucyrus) put the icing on the cake with four free throws for the 82-69 final score at Seiberling Gymnasium.
Kaitlyn Pennekamp topped five Beavers in double digits with 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, including two triples. Whitaker and Kurilec added 14 points each, while Sheerer and Rachel Beining (Ottoville) chipped in with 13 and 12, respectively. Whitaker was 11-of-12 at the line and she doled out four assists. Kurilec just missed out on a double-double with nine rebounds and she picked up a game-high three steals.
The Beavers hit 27-of-60 from the field (45.0 percent) and they were much more efficient outside, converting 3-of-9 (33.3 percent) compared to 4-of-22 (18.2 percent) for the home team. Bluffton knocked down 25-of-31 (80.6 percent) at the line, while Heidelberg was just 13-for-21 (61.9 percent) on freebies.
Bluffton will enjoy a short Thanksgiving break before returning to the Sommer Center for a non-conference clash with Kalamazoo College on Saturday, Nov. 29. Tip-off is slated for 3 p.m. so get your fill of turkey and football on Thursday and come out and support the Beavers this Saturday!
-BEAVERS-
