Women’s basketball opener
On Saturday, November 12, the Bluffton University women's basketball team scored early and often in a season-opening 77-36 home win over Wooster that wasn't even that close. Bluffton stands 1-0, while Wooster is 0-2 on the young season.

Bluffton hammered the glass to the tune of a 52-35 advantage and picked off Wooster 14 times. Bluffton hit 31-of-67 from the field (46.3 percent), compared to an ice-cold 15-of-57 (26.3 percent) for the Scots. One area the Beavers can shore up is their work at the line where they managed to hit just 7-of-16 (43.8 percent).

A trip to Olivet is next up for Bluffton as the Beavers travel to Michigan for a 6 p.m. tip-off with the Comets on Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022.

Men’s basketball opener
The Bluffton University men's basketball team came up short against Denison University in their season opener on Friday, November 11. The Beavers dropped a 66-42 decision and fell to 0-1 on the season while Denison improved to 1-1.

Bluffton hit 19-of-49 (38.8 percent) from the field, but just a paltry 2-of-12 (16.7 percent) from beyond the arc. The home team knocked down 2-of-4 (50 percent) at the charity stripe. Denison pulled down 12 more rebounds (36-24) while both teams finished with nine steals. The visitors ended with a 30-24 edge in the paint.

The Beavers welcome Heidelberg on Wednesday, Nov. 16 for a home matchup with the Student Princes. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Sommer Center.

Swimming and diving
FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Bluffton University swimming and diving team hit the road for the second straight day on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022. Just a few hours removed from their trip to Wittenberg, the Beavers were back in the pool at Franklin for a tri-match with the rival Grizzlies and Centre College.

Freshman Keevan Lee established a school record in the 100-yard backstroke (1:07.41) and the 500-yard freestyle (6:20.39), tackling some new events on Saturday. He also moved to 3rd place all-time with a 25.03 in the 50-yard freestyle.

Senior Alejandra Valenzuela (Lima, Honduras/Santa Maria del Valle) and Sydney Grisier (Bryan) also competed at Franklin on the women's side with Valenzuela finishing the 50 and 100-yard freestyle as well as the 100-yard backstroke.

Bluffton will cap off its first-semester slate with a trip to Canton for the Malone Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 18-19.

Football
On Saturday, November 12, the Bluffton University football team wrapped up its 2022 campaign with a hard-fought 17-14 loss, and with it the prized Hammer, to Defiance College in a cold and snowy home game. The Beavers ended their season with a 2-8 mark (2-5 HCAC) while the Yellow Jackets improved to 3-7 (3-4 HCAC).

Both teams moved the chains fourteen times during the game. Defiance racked up 223 yards of total offense, including 157 on the ground, compared to 191 for Bluffton. The Beavers finished with one more sack (2-1) but they also fumbled it away twice.

Visit www.blufftonbeavers.com for full-length coverage and for HCAC awards next week.