By: Ryan Schadewald, sports information assistant

Stats

RICHMOND, Ind. - The Bluffton women’s basketball team used a 21-2 start to the game to easily defeat Earlham College, 81-59, on the road on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The Beavers moved into a tie for second in the HCAC standings, improving to 12-5 in the conference and 17-7 overall, while the Quakers slipped to 7-17, 5-12 in the conference. Bluffton’s 17th victory is a new school record for wins in a season!

The Beavers took advantage of two triples from Kaitlyn Pennekamp (Hamilton/Ross), with a layup from freshman Macey Sheerer (Bucyrus) sandwiched in between to give Bluffton an 8-0 start before the Quakers knew what hit them. Following Earlham's only bucket in the first seven minutes, another three from Taylor Whitaker (Mansfield/Lexington) and a Taylor Knight (Perrysburg) deuce pushed Bluffton to a 13-2 spread. The run was capped by yet another triple from Pennekamp, as well as a deep one from freshman Kaycee Rowe (Harrod/Allen East) for the 21-2 lead just 6:30 into the contest. The Beavers continued the runaway, going up by as many as 29 points on a deuce from Pennekamp late in the opening stanza. Bluffton’s first half shooting of 63 percent (17-of-27) was a huge factor in the first 20 minutes.

The Beavers continued to roll in the second half, leading by as many as 35 points on a jumper from Rachel Beining (Ottoville) at the 8:57 mark. Earlham pulled within 17, including scoring 16 straight markers at one point in the half, but that was far too little, too late as the Beavers collected a 22-point win.

The key to Bluffton's victory with the shooting, as they were 50 percent from the floor (29-of-58), as well as from deep (7-of-14). The Beavers shot 72.7 percent (16-of-22) from the stripe in the win. Earlham struggled from the field, finishing at just 35 percent (21-of-60) and 40 percent (4-of-10) from deep. Bluffton also won the battle of the boards, 30-26, but committed 19 turnovers to just 16 for the Quakers.

The Beavers finished with five scorers in double figures, led by junior Kaitlyn Pennekamp with her 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-3 from deep. She also added six boards and two steals. Taylor Whitaker chipped in 16 points, while freshman Macey Sheerer scored another double-double with her 15 markers and 10 rebounds. Freshman Kaycee Rowe tallied 13 off the bench with eight boards, while Rachel Beining finished with 10 counters. Point guard Taylor Knight also ran the show with a team-leading eight assists in addition to her five points and three steals.

The Beavers wrap up the regular season with a road trip to Lexington, Ky., on Saturday, Feb. 21 with a showdown against 16th-ranked Transylvania. The Pioneers have locked up home court for next week’s HCAC Tournament, while the finale plays a big role for the Beavers in determining their seed for next week’s tournament. Game time is set for 2 p.m. with live stats and video available online. Come support your Beavers!

-BEAVERS-