By Keisha Holtsberry, sports information assistant

The Bluffton University women's basketball team traveled to the College of Mount St. Joseph on Wednesday, December 1. The Beavers took a 30-22 lead in the first half, but Mt. St. Joseph outscored Bluffton in the second period, 44-28, for a 66-58 win. Bluffton fell to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the Heartland Conference, while MSJ improved to 1-4 overall and 1-1 in the HCAC.

The Beavers started off the scoring with a free throw by Brittany Stegmaier (Garfield/Trinity). Mount St. Joseph pulled ahead with a couple of layups as they led the Beavers 8-7 after four minutes of play. Bluffton then turned the scoring in their favor with another free throw from Stegmaier and a jumper by junior Kim Miller (Delphos/St. John's), making the score 10-8. After three more minutes of play the Beavers increased their lead to four (18-14) following a layup by Miller.

The game remained close for the next seven minutes until junior Alicia Amis (Woodstock/Mechanicsburg) put in back-to-back layups. The half ended with Miller sinking another jumper for a 30-22 advantage.

The Lions came out ready to play in the second half, quickly taking control of the game and scoring eight points in the first three minutes of the period. Bluffton answered Mt. St. Joseph with a jumper, two free throws, and a three-pointer, all from Stegmaier for a 39-30 lead. For the next three minutes MSJ was in control of the game, out-scoring Bluffton 6-0. The Lions kept the game close for the next four minutes, tying the game at the 10:17 mark. Two minutes later, the Beavers pushed their lead back to five (51-46) with two jumpers from junior Emily Shellabarger (St. Marys/Memorial) and a layup by Miller.

The Lions took over the game from that point on and outscored the Beavers 20-7 to take the win, 66-58. Kim Miller led Bluffton with 16 points while Stegmaier contributed 14. The Lions' scoring was led by Shelby Benzinger with 16 points.

Bluffton struggled from the field, going 21-of-58 (36.2 percent). The Beavers hit only 2-of-12 (16.7 percent) from behind the arc. MSJ proved more efficient from the field, hitting 23-of-48 (47.9 percent) and 5-of-13 (38.5 percent) from behind the arc. The Beavers knocked down only 14-of-23 (60.9 percent) at the line. MSJ was slightly better, hitting 15-of-22 (68.2 percent). MSJ won a close battle on the boards (34-32). The Beavers turned the ball over 16 times while forcing 22 miscues from MSJ.

The Bluffton University women's basketball team will face Transylvania on Saturday, December 4, in Founders Hall. The game, part of a women's and men's doubleheader with the Pioneers, will begin at 2 p.m.