BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team used a strong first quarter and an outstanding final stanza to secure the 67-52 non-conference victory over Adrian College on Tuesday, Dec. 20, 2022. Bluffton improved to 6-3 on the season, while Adrian dipped to 3-7 following the loss.
Adrian trailed by only three points (33-30) following a Julia Tierman hoop and harm just over a minute into the second half, but Bluffton responded with a 13-3 jag that was ignited by six straight points from All-HCAC standout Morgan Smith (Arlington). Sophomore Olivia Zender (Fostoria/Hopewell Loudon) made it 46-33 at the 2:50 mark when she hit from distance. A Lindsey Smith (Mount Victory/Kenton) bucket helped Bluffton take a 48-39 lead into the final period.
Deep balls by Kyla Columber (Marion/Pleasant) and Kayla Prigge (Hamler/Patrick Henry) pushed the spread to 17 (59-42) with 6:01 to play and Bluffton put it on cruise control as Zender and Maddie Fitzpatrick (Mount Gilead) drained six freebies en route to the 67-52 Tuesday night victory.
Bluffton trailed 10-5 midway through the opening frame before an 11-0 run gave the Beavers a 16-10 lead after one quarter. Smith sandwiched a couple buckets around a Lacie Fenstermaker (Leipsic/Pandora-Gilboa) jumper. Peyton Henry (Leipsic) got to the rack and Columber hit from outside the arc to cap the spurt. Columber led the home team with five points in quarter two as Bluffton took a 31-25 lead at the break.
Smith racked up her second straight double-double, leading the good guys with 16 points and 11 boards. Columber put up a career-high 11 counters thanks to a 3-of-5 night from downtown. Zender was also in double figures with 10 markers. Prigge and Fitzpatrick chipped in with eight and seven points, respectively. Prigge equaled her career best with six rebounds. Smith dished out three assists and Columber picked up a game and career-high three steals.
The Beavers hit 22-of-61 from the field (36.1 percent), but they were outstanding at the stripe, going 18-for-21 (85.7 percent). Bluffton pulled down five more rebounds (44-39) and they forced Adrian into four more miscues (19-15). The Bulldogs finished with a 12-3 edge on fast-break points.
Bluffton will head home for Christmas before re-convening back in the Sommer Center on Thursday, Dec. 29, when the Beavers welcome Bethany College for the McDonald's Holiday Classic. Ohio Northern and Denison tip at 5 p.m. with the Beavers and Bison to follow at approximately 7 p.m. on Thursday.
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