By: Takayla Gadberry, sports information assistant

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Bluffton University women's basketball team saw its 2019-20 season come to an end when the #11 Transylvania University Pioneers rolled to a 74-45 victory in the Heartland Conference tournament semi-finals on Saturday, Feb. 29. Bluffton finished with a 14-13 mark, while Transy improved to 24-2 and will face the winner of Franklin and Hanover at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday for the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

A Brianna Gillig (New Riegel) layup midway through the first period had the Beavers within six (12-6) before an 8-2 run for the home team made the score 20-8 with just over a minute to play in the quarter. Sammy Shardo (Findlay/Liberty Benton) closed the gap to 10 with a pair of free throws but Ashton Woodard drained a three with nine ticks remaining to make it 23-10 going into the second stanza.

With Bluffton struggling to find the bottom of the net in the second, Transylvania pushed its lead to 42-16 with just over three minutes to play in the first half. Tj Mills (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) hit a jumper before Emma Saltzman (Arcadia) and Gillig combined to score seven points late in the half as Bluffton pulled within 44-25 at the break.

Peyton Henry (Leipsic) dialed long distance with 5:33 to play in the third quarter, pulling Bluffton within 13 (51-38) for the first time since the opening period. However, the Pioneers responded with a 15-2 jag to close out the third with a commanding 66-40 advantage. 

Transy's lead grew to as many as 32 before the home team pulled the plug on its way to a 74-45 victory that ended Bluffton's season in the conference semi-finals.

Gillig led the Beavers with 15 points and seven rebounds. Mills record-breaking career came to an end with 13 markers. Saltzman and Nora Hemminger (McComb) both ripped down six boards in the season finale.

The Heartland Conference will hand out its post-season All-HCAC hardware next Thursday, March 5. Check the Bluffton athletics website for that release and updated record books during the coming weeks.

-BEAVERS-