February 18, 2017
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women’s basketball team took on the Hanover College Panthers in their final home game of the 2016-17 season. Bluffton recognized seniors JESSICA BOGGAN (Cincinnati/Princeton), ASHLEY SALYER (Marion/River Valley) and RACHEL BEINING (Ottoville) as they played their final game on Copeland Court. It was one to remember as the Beavers secured the win, 83-68, to finish the regular season 21-4 overall and 15-3 in the HCAC.
Bluffton would get on the board as Jessica Boggan hit from in close for the first basket of the game off a pass from MACEY SHEERER (Bucyrus) for a 2-0 lead. Freshman BREANNA GRAHAM knocked down a three as time expired for a 17-15 Bluffton edge heading into the second quarter.
The teams would trade baskets as the Beavers took a slim 31-30 advantage at the half. Bluffton pushed it to 40-33 after Rachel Beining hit a layup off a dish from two-time reigning HCAC Player of the Week KAYCEE ROWE (Harrod/Allen East). Despite trailing by 11 points with just two minutes left in the third period, the Panthers fought back and cut Bluffton’s lead to 55-51 entering the fourth quarter.
Rachel Beining would score six of the Beavers first eight fourth quarter points as they led 63-56 with 7:16 to go. With 1:51 remaining, Bluffton held a nine-point lead before an 8-0 run was capped by a layup from Ashley Salyer, putting the home team up 83-66. A jumper by the Panthers made the final score 83-68 as the Beavers finished the regular season with their sixth straight victory.
Rachel Beining led the way for the Beavers, notching her 23rd career double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Macey Sheerer, who was honored prior to tip-off for scoring career point 1,000 at Earlham on Wednesday night, put together her 12th double-double with 21 counters, 10 boards and five dimes. TJ Mills (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) added 11 markers and dished out six assists. Kaycee Rowe made it four in double figures with 10 points and six assists.
The Beavers went 31-of-74 (41.9 percent) from the field while Hanover finished 26-of-66 (39.4 percent). Bluffton was all over the glass as they won the rebounding battle (46-40). The home team took advantage of 14 Panther turnovers, scoring 16 points off those miscues.
Bluffton will travel to Rose Hulman on Friday, Feb. 24 and play at 8 p.m. when the Beavers enter the HCAC Tournament as the #2 seed. Your reigning regular season and tournament champions will face the winner of a Defiance/Transylvania game that takes place Tuesday night in Lexington, Ky.
-BEAVERS-
