By: Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant
FRANKLIN, Ind. - The Bluffton University women's basketball team improved to 14-8 to go along with a 9-7 mark in the Heartland Conference after an exciting road victory against Franklin College on Saturday, Feb 11, 2023. Franklin fell to 8-14 overall and 7-10 in the HCAC. Bluffton's sweep of the Grizzlies ensures the Beavers of a berth in the upcoming HCAC Tournament that kicks off on Tuesday, Feb. 21!
The Beavers started the game slowly as they allowed the home team to jump out to a quick 5-2 lead. Behind a three from Maddie Fitzpatrick (Mount Gilead), her team was able to complete a 9-0 run late in the opening period. Lacie Fenstermaker (Leipsic/Pandora-Gilboa) added a layup to the effort as well. Bluffton ended the quarter with a 15-11 lead.
Period number two was an exciting back and forth battle as the visiting squad outscored the Griz by a single point (18-17). Katie Neuhart (Delaware/Deleware Christian) scored a layup right out of the gates and Olivia Zender (Fostoria/Hopewell-Loudon) converted a challenging fade-away jumper. The Grizzlies went on a 6-0 run, but Kayla Prigge (Hamler/Patrick Henry) and Fitzpatrick responded emphatically with a pair of triples. Franklin scored a layup at the buzzer, giving Bluffton a 33-28 spread heading into halftime.
The third is where Bluffton put some distance between the two rivals, showing off its defense as the visitors allowed only six points in the quarter! Prigge and Morgan Smith (Arlington) both started feeling it as they scored eight of Bluffton's 14 points. Sammy Shardo (Findlay/Liberty-Benton) connected from deep as time expired to put her squad up 47-34 heading into the final ten minutes of the game.
Bluffton really turned it up a notch in the last period, outscoring the home team 20-10, including a 15-2 run to close out the game! Neuhart threw in another bunny off of an assist from Peyton Henry (Leipsic) before Fitzpatrick dialed long distance to put an exclamation mark the assault. The women were able to use their stifling defense and presence inside to walk away with a 67-44 victory.
Fitzpatrick ended with a very impressive stat line, scoring 17 points, largely thanks to going a perfect 3-for-3 from behind the arc, while adding a team-high seven rebounds as well. Neuhart added a career-high 17 tallies of her own as she scored inside with ease all game, making the most of her first collegiate start! Prigge led the team in assists, dishing out four helpers.
The Beavers shot well from the field, going 24-of-53 (45.3 percent) as well as 5-for-15 from three-point territory. Franklin was 19-of-61 (31.1 percent) from the field and a paltry 5-of-33 (15.2 percent) from deep. Bluffton dominated the paint, grabbing 40 caroms, compared to Franklin's 28. The Beavers outscored their opponent by eight in the paint, 30-22.
The Bluffton women bring it home for Senior Night when they welcome Manchester for a rare Tuesday night of conference basketball on Feb. 14. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 with senior recognitions to take place at 7:15 p.m.
-BEAVERS-