November 25, 2017
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team sandwiched wins around a short Thanksgiving break as the Beavers downed Kalamazoo College 86-70 on Saturday, Nov. 25, after knocking off Heidelberg Tuesday night in the Sommer Center. Bluffton improved to 3-1 on the season, while the Hornets stayed winless at 0-2.
Sophomore Breanna Graham (Springboro) was the story in quarter one, rolling off 10 points in two and a half minutes as the home team took a 25-15 lead heading to period two. Kalamazoo pulled within 39-30 at the 1:49 mark of the first half before a Graham bucket and triple from Erin Sherman (Sandusky) pushed it out to 44-30 at the break.
Kalamazoo trailed 62-49 heading to the fourth quarter and the visitors knocked down back-to-back jumpers, making it a nine-point game before the home seniors took things into their own hands, scoring 21 of Bluffton's 24 points in the quarter en route to the 86-70 victory over a scrappy Hornet squad. Kaycee Rowe (Harrod/Allen East) went for a quick eight points, while Macey Sheerer (Bucyrus) converted a hoop-and-harm and two freebies before Abigail O'Donnell (Arcanum) sealed it with consecutive triples in front of the Bluffton bench!
Rowe led the Beavers with 25 points on a red-hot 11-of-16 from the field. She added six boards, three assists and two steals. Graham went 7-for-10 for a career-high 17 points, including a career-best 3-of-4 from distance! Chipping in 13 points on a career-high 3-of-6 afternoon from outside the arc was Abigail O'Donnell. Sheerer just missed double figures with nine points and six rebounds, while Chelsea Moore (Delaware/Olentangy) added seven markers and six boards. TJ Mills (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) and Erin Sherman tallied seven and six counters, respectively.
The home team hit 32-of-70 from the field (45.7 percent), including 8-of-16 (50.0 percent) from deep. Bluffton forced the Hornets into 15 turnovers, compared to just eight miscues by the Beavers. Bluffton controlled the paint (40-26) and took advantage in transition with a marked 28-9 edge in points off turnovers.
Bluffton has earned a well-deserved break before welcoming Heartland Conference favorite Transylvania next Saturday, Dec. 2. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. in the Sommer Center. Come out and cheer on your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-
