By: Nathan Zuercher, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - For the second time in 22 hours, the Bluffton University women's basketball team ran roughshod over their rivals from Defiance County. Bluffton built a 44-12 lead at the break and was never challenged in its 75-54 victory over Defiance College. The Beavers improved to 8-1 on the season, while Defiance slipped to 0-2.
Even though they played just last night, the Beavers showed no signs of fatigue in the first quarter, outscoring Defiance 18-5 during the opening stanza. Freshman Taylor Malson (Castalia/Margaretta) got the ladies going with five first quarter points, including a trifecta from deep. Junior Emma Saltzman (Arcadia) tossed in four points of her own, looking dominant in the paint.
The second quarter was all Sammy Shardo (Findlay/Liberty-Benton). The sophomore sharpshooter was 4-for-4 from the field and 2-of-2 behind the arc, tallying 10 points for the Beavers. Freshman Sydney Cavanuagh (Mansfield/St Peter's) added five markers for the women off the bench. The Beavers opened a commanding 44-12 lead at the break thanks to outscoring the Jackets 26-7 in period two.
It was more of the same for the Beavers in the third quarter. Shardo knocked down her third triple of the night while Malson scored two more buckets. Saltzman kept control of the paint with another four points and a rebound.
The fourth was too little, too late for the Yellow Jackets. Junior Brianna Gillig (New Riegel) put it on ice with a giant hoop and harm late in the game, giving her five tallies in the quarter. Freshman Angel Schneider (Columbus Grove) got going late as well, making two smooth shots to give her four counters in the final period as Bluffton rolled to a 75-54 victory.
Malson and Shardo paced the Beavers with 13 apiece while Saltzman took care of business down low with 12 points and three rebounds. Shardo and Peyton Henry (Leipsic) took care of the ball handling duties, both dishing out five assists (career highs) for the victors. Senior Nora Hemminger (McComb) came away with a team-high four steals. Gillig chipped in with nine points and seven rebounds.
The Beavers shot 49.2 percent from the field, compared to Defiance's 25.8 percent. Bluffton also bested the Yellow Jackets from the 3-point line, knocking down 10-of-23 for 43.5 percent, compared to 22.2 percent (4-of-18) for the visitors. The Beavers ripped down nine more boards (48-39), but they also turned it over nine more times (24-15).
Bluffton returns to action next Friday, Jan. 22, when the Beavers travel to Earlham College for a 5 p.m. tip in Richmond, Ind.
-BEAVERS-