January 9, 2017
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant

Stats

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women’s basketball team welcomed the Franklin College Grizzlies for a crucial HCAC matchup on January 9. A hot first quarter that saw the Beavers go up 20-4 was key as Bluffton rolled to a 65-51 victory over Franklin in a rare Monday night makeup game from Saturday, Dec. 17, when treacherous conditions kept the Grizzlies off the road. Bluffton improved to 11-2 on the season and more importantly 5-1 in the conference which moves the Beavers into a first place tie with Rose-Hulman. The Grizzlies fell to 6-6 and 4-2 in league play.

Franklin scored the first basket of the contest, but the Beavers responded with a 10-0 run capped off by a jumper from RACHEL BEINING (Ottoville) at the 4:52 mark. CHELSEA MOORE (Delaware/Olentangy) finished off an 8-0 spurt making the score 20-4 at the end of the first quarter. The Grizzlies fought back in quarter two and trailed just 31-20 heading into the second half.

The home team pushed its lead to 46-29 entering the final period thanks to a 15-9 spread in the third quarter. With 4:46 to play, a layup by Rachel Beining gave the Beavers a 19-point lead, forcing Franklin to call a timeout. A 9-2 run by the visiting team cut the deficit to 61-49 with 2:01 left in regulation but the Beavers got consecutive deuces from KAYCEE ROWE (Harrod/Allen East) in the final minute to seal the 65-51 victory.

It was a team effort as three Beavers made it into double digits. Kaycee Rowe led the way with 14 points, seven boards and five assists. Rachel Beining notched her 18th double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds while MACEY SHEERER (Bucyrus) added 12 markers and pulled down nine boards. ABIGAIL O’DONNELL (Arcanum) and TJ MILLS (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) netted eight apiece in the victory.

Bluffton shot the ball well as the home team scored 44 points in the paint and went 30-of-58 (51.7 percent) from the floor. Solid defense by the Beavers forced Franklin into a 31.6 percent (18-of-57) shooting night, including 6-of-19 from distance. Although the Beavers turned the ball over 20 times, they pounded Franklin on the boards (44-29).

Bluffton will be on the road for their next two games as the Beavers head to Manchester at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday before making the long trip to Hanover on Saturday, Jan. 14.

-BEAVERS-

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