BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team ran into a buzzsaw in #2 nationally-ranked Transylvania University on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Bluffton fell to 12-7 overall and 7-6 in the Heartland Conference, while the Pioneers stayed perfect at 19-0 and 12-0 in HCAC action.
The story was written in the opening frame as Transy dialed long distance no fewer than six times during the first eight minutes on the way to a convincing 25-9 lead after just one period. The final three quarters were a requirement, but the deed was done long before Transy waltzed to the locker room with a 41-21 spread at the break.
Junior Maddie Fitzpatrick (Mount Gilead) hit an early three and finished the first quarter with five counters, while freshman Katie Neuhart (Delaware/Delaware Christian) went for a team-best six points in period two.
Transylvania used a 15-6 advantage in the third quarter to end any hopes of a Bluffton comeback. Neuhart again came up big, netting four of the Bluffton points.
Fitzpatrick hit back-to-back jumpers in the final stanza and Breena Plank (Ashland) connected from outside the arc, but the Pioneers showed why they are outscoring their opponents by 27 points a game as Transy moved to 19-0 with the 65-42 Saturday victory.
Neuhart equaled her career best with 10 points on 4-of-6 from the field. Morgan Smith (Arlington) just missed out on a double double with eight points and nine boards and she also doubled her career high in blocks, swatting away six Pioneer shots!
Bluffton finished 15-of-51 (29.4 percent) from the field, including a paltry 2-for-11 (18.2 percent) on triples. The Pioneers also struggled from the field, making just 23-of-72 (31.9 percent), but a 6-of-10 first quarter from deep proved to be enough. Transy pulled down five more rebounds (46-41) and the visitors also forced the Beavers into 13 more turnovers (20-7). The Pioneers finished with a 28-16 edge in paint points.
The Beavers are back in the Sommer Center on Wednesday, Feb. 1, when Bluffton welcomes Mount St. Joseph. Tip off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
-BEAVERS-
