BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Fightin' Engineers may have gotten down on Saturday in a critical Heartland College Athletic Conference game, but a veteran Rose-Hulman team remained composed down the stretch and used a late second half push to defeat Bluffton University by a final score of 50-44.  Rose-Hulman remained undefeated in HCAC play, improving to 14-0.  The Fightin' Engineers have also won 16 straight games dating back to November of 2017.

Both teams struggled to start the game as the Fightin' Engineers and Beavers combine for just 14 points and nine turnovers in the first quarter.  Rose-Hulman made 3 of 10 field goals to start the game, however, the Fightin' Engineers' defense, ranked No. 8 nationally, held BU to just 1-9 shooting in the opening frame.  RHIT led 10-4 after the first quarter. 

Bluffton came to life in the second quarter.  The Beavers shot 50% (7-14) and made four of five three-pointers, outscoring RHIT 21-10 in the second period.  The Fightin' Engineers trailed by five at the intermission, 25-20.

Both teams battled back and forth following halftime.  Rose-Hulman started the third quarter off with a three-pointer from Abby Bromesnchenkel to trim Bluffton's lead to two, 25-23.  After a Beaver basket, senior Lindsey Fagerberg knocked down consecutive jumpers to tie the game at 27.  Chiarra Franklin made a layup at the 5:41 mark of the third quarter to give Rose-Hulman a 29-27 lead, its first lead since the first half.  RHIT pushed its lead to five, 32-27, just a minute later when Fagerberg nailed another jump shot.  The Beavers stayed close and, following a pair of free throws from Macey Sheerer, trailed by just one, 34-33 heading into the final quarter of play.

Bluffton took an early lead in the final period following a jumper from Kacey Rowe.  However, the Fightin' Engineers answered right back with a three-pointer from Taylor Graham that beat the shot clock.  Rose-Hulman would never trail again.  After a pair of Bluffton free throws that cut Rose's lead to one, Chiarra Franklin finished a layup through congestion that pushed the Engineers back out in front by three, 41-38.  After a defensive stop, it was again Lindsey Fagerberg who knocked down a clutch shot that pushed Rose's advantage to five with just under three minutes to play.  Rose-Hulman's remaining offense down the stretch came from the charity stripe.

Rose-Hulman shot 18-47 (38%) for the game and made 11 of 17 free throw attempts.  RHIT outrebounded Bluffton 37-31.  The Beavers were held to just 26.4% (14-53) shooting from the field.

Junior Taylor Graham led Rose-Hulman with 16 points and six rebounds in 27 minutes off the bench.  Graham shot 5-10 from the field and went 5-7 from the foul line.  Lindsey Fagerberg scored 10 points on the strength of 5-9 shooting.  She added three rebounds and three assists.  Chiarra Franklin scored eight points and grabbed eight rebounds in the win.  Ally Bromenschenkel added six points and eight boards.  Abby Bromenschenkel added six points and nine rebounds.

Rose-Hulman won its 16th straight game and moved to 18-3, 14-0 HCAC.  Bluffton fell to 15-6, 10-4 HCAC.  Rose-Hulman will return to action on Wednesday February 7 against Franklin College.  Tipoff from Hulbert Arena is set for 7:30 p.m.