By: Jack Reed, sports information assistant
ANDERSON, Ind. - The Bluffton University women's basketball team traveled to Anderson University on Saturday, Feb. 13, looking to complete the weekend sweep of the Ravens after Friday's convincing victory. The Beavers fought hard but they ended up falling to the Ravens by a score of 57-50. After the stellar performance in last night's game, the roles were switched on day two.
The Beavers struggled early as they dug a nine-point hole in the early going. Bluffton's first basket did not come until halfway through the first period thanks to a three-pointer by senior Nora Hemminger (McComb). Emma Saltzman (Arcadia) connected on a set of free throws, while freshman Taylor Malson (Castalia/Margaretta) cashed in a freebie as well. However, those were the only points Bluffton would garner in the first period. At the end of one, the Ravens led 16-6.
The second quarter was a completely different story for the Beavers. Brianna Gillig (New Riegel) got things going with a layup just a minute in. At the 6:30 mark, Malson dialed in from beyond the arc to make the score 18-15. Just two minutes later, freshman Sydney Cavanaugh (Mansfield/St. Peters) would make a free throw then add a triple to give Bluffton a 22-18 advantage. A couple more free throws had the game knotted up at 25 apiece heading into half.
The score stood 35-27 in favor of the Ravens when senior Abbie Parkins (Bluffton) connected on a jump shot. The Beavers went on a mini spurt late in the third when Gillig, Parkins and Sammy Shardo (Findlay/Liberty Benton) all scored two-point field goals. Heading into the final stanza the Beavers trailed by just three (43-40).
Gillig hit from distance to give the Beavers a two-point lead with nine minutes to play. Shardo's trifecta midway through the final period made it 51-50 in favor of the Ravens but that would be the closest the Beavers could get. When the final bell tolled, the Beavers were on the wrong end of a 57-50 decision.
The lone double-figure scorer was Gillig who finished with 10 counters. Shardo followed up with nine, and Malson poured in eight. Gillig capped off her double-double performance with 10 rebounds, while Saltzman grabbed eight boards.
The Beavers struggled from the field, connecting on just 15-of-55 (27.3 percent). Anderson hit 20-of-56 for 35.7 percent. Bluffton went 15-of-22 (68.2 percent) from the stripe, while Anderson was an efficient 11-for-13 (84.6 percent).
The Bluffton women will be back in action on Thursday, Feb. 18, hosting Transylvania. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. in the Sommer Center before the regular season comes to an end on Saturday in Lexington, Ky.
-BEAVERS-