December 13, 2014
By: Owen Lugibihl, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team outscored Anderson 64-25 over a span of 25 minutes in the middle of the game on its way to a convincing 82-53 victory on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. The Beavers improved to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the Heartland Conference, while Anderson slipped to 1-5 and 0-2 in the HCAC.
Both teams fought back and forth during the first 10 minutes of the game, with the score reading 21-21 midway through the first stanza. Then the Beavers put it together, ending the half with a 25-10 run for a 46-31 advantage. The hot shooting began with seven straight points from Kaitlyn Pennekamp(Hamilton/Ross) who scored 10 of her 18 counters in the first half. Freshman Macey Sheerer (Bucyrus) and sophomore Rachel Beining (Ottoville) added six and five points, respectively, during the 25-point spurt, before the end of the first half.
The second stanza began much like the first ended, with the Beavers exhibiting their dominance. Following an Anderson bucket by Jaclyn Liming with 18:56 left in the second half, the Beavers went on a 14-0 jag, extending their lead to 60-33. The scoring spurt was led by Pennekamp who dropped in eight of the next 14 points in less than three minutes.
The Ravens looked to quash the Beaver rally but the visitors were outmanned. Bluffton matched the Ravens shot for shot and the lead soon expanded to as many as 35 points before the final buzzer sounded. The Beavers held on to their commanding lead and won the game convincingly, 82-53.
Kaitlyn Pennekamp drained 7-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-4 from distance, for a game-high 18 points. She also added four rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals. Macey Sheerer filled up the stat sheet with 15 points, six boards, four assists and three steals. She finished 6-for-10 from the field with a pair of triples. Also in double figures were Rachel Beining with 13 markers and Brenna Kurilec (Mt. Gilead/Gilead Christian), who was 5-of-6 on field goals, with 11 points. She hit her only attempt from outside the arc. Beining ripped down six caroms, while Abby Jerger (Middletown/Madison) and Taylor Knight (Perrysburg) dished out six and five assists, respectively.
Bluffton lit it up from the field, going 34-of-59 (57.6 percent) and the Beavers were equally impressive from deep, knocking down 8-of-14 for 57.1 percent. The home team dominated on the glass (37-19) one week after Franklin used the boards to their advantage in a tight win over the Beavers. Bluffton was unselfish moving the rock around as the Beavers doled out 31 assists on their 34 buckets.
The Beavers will be on a two-week break as they await the Bluffton Holiday Tournament which will include, Albion, Muskingum and Denison. Bluffton will face off against Albion College following the Muskingum-Denison tournament opener. Tip off is slated for Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014 at 5 p.m. in the Sommer Center with Bluffton to follow at 7 p.m. Come support your Beavers!
-BEAVERS-