December 7, 2016
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team rolled up a 49-24 advantage at halftime en route to a dominating 88-54 victory over visiting Earlham College on Wednesday, Dec. 7. Bluffton stayed perfect at 6-0 (2-0 HCAC) on the season while the Quakers dropped to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in the Heartland Conference.
Bluffton jumped out to an 8-4 lead at the 7:33 mark of the first quarter after RACHEL BEINING (Ottoville) got free inside and took advantage of a slick feed from KAYCEE ROWE (Harrod/Allen East). The Beavers opened a 28-16 lead after ASHLEY SALYER (Marion/River Valley) knocked down a pair of free throws with less than a minute to play in the period.
The home team continued to pour it on with a 10-0 run to start the second quarter, holding Earlham scoreless in the first five minutes. With 4:27 left in the half, a three by TJ MILLS (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) put the Beavers up 43-19 on the way to a 49-24 halftime lead.
With the Beavers holding a 65-43 advantage heading into the final period, bench play played a huge role as the Beavers outscored Earlham 23-11 in the fourth for a convincing 88-54 victory.
Pacing the offense was MACEY SHEERER (Bucyrus) who poured in a game-high 21 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field (6-of-7 FT) along with 10 boards for her third double-double of the season. Also contributing for the Beavers was Rachel Beining who ruled the paint with 18 points and Kaycee Rowe who added nine points and five assists. Freshman guard Breanna Graham (Springboro) ripped down a career-high seven boards while Kayla HEuker (Botkins) bucketed a career-best nine markers in just 12 minutes. Graham, Mills and junior Abigail O'Donnell (Arcanum) all dished out four assists in the victory.
Solid shooting was key as Bluffton hit 51.5 percent (35-of-68) from the floor to the Quakers 37.7 percent (20-of-53). Bluffton pounded the glass as they won the rebounding battle, 41-30. The Beavers netted 22 points off of 24 Earlham turnovers and the home team dished out 22 assists for the victors. Bluffton controlled the paint with 60 points in the key (20 for Earlham).
The #19-ranked Beavers will look to continue their great start when the women head to pre-season HCAC favorite Rose-Hulman on Saturday, Dec. 10, at 1 p.m. in Terre Haute, Ind.
-BEAVERS-
