The Bluffton University women's basketball team continued its winning ways with a 62-56 victory over Franklin College on Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022. Bluffton improved to 16-6 overall and 11-4 in the Heartland Conference, while Franklin dipped to 7-14 and 5-9 in the HCAC.

It took over three minutes for anybody to break the seal and it was Franklin netting five points before Brianna Gillig (New Riegel) got Bluffton in the scoring column at the 5:31 mark of period one. Peyton Henry (Leipsic) buried a deep three-ball and Gillig knocked down three freebies before Sammy Shardo (Findlay/Liberty-Benton) hit from in close as Bluffton led 14-7 after one.

A pair of Morgan Smith (Arlington) buckets coupled with triples from Henry and Maddie Fitzpatrick (Mount Gilead) put Bluffton up 32-22 at the half.

Triples from Henry and Shardo had the Beavers up 38-24 midway through period three and when Henry hit from distance at the 2:55 mark it was still 43-31 in favor of the good guys. Gillig scored six straight, giving Bluffton a 49-39 cushion with 10 minutes to play.

The fourth quarter saw Franklin take over as the Grizzlies pulled within a single point (53-52) with 4:46 on the clock. It was still a one-point game when the visitors went cold. Franklin missed its last eight shots while Bluffton converted five charity tosses to seal up the 62-56 victory on Saturday evening.

Gillig led everyone with 24 points and 11 boards for her 23rd career double-double! Smith went for 11 and 10 which added up to her 4th double-double. Henry continued to live outside the arc, drilling 4-of-7 for 13 points. Shardo dished out four assists, while Henry ripped down seven misses.

Bluffton hit just 18-of-54 (33.3 percent) from the field, but the Beavers were better outside the arc, making 6-of-15 (40 percent) from distance. The home team also made hay at the line, dropping in 20-of-27 for 74.1 percent, while Franklin converted just 6-of-13 (46.2 percent) free throws. Franklin pulled down three more rebounds (47-44) and the Grizzlies finished with a 30-20 edge in paint points.

The Beavers travel to Manchester University for a 7:30 matchup with the Spartans on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022.