By: Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant
ANDERSON, Ind. - The Bluffton University women's basketball defeated Anderson University in the first round of the Heartland Conference Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. The Beavers improved to 16-9 and Anderson finished its season with a 15-10 mark. The satisfying victory avenged two straight conference tourney knockouts at the hands of AU!
Points came at a premium in the first with the Beavers trailing 12-11 at the end of one. Katie Neuhart (Delaware/Delaware Christian) was able to get the offense going, scoring a quick layup before Maddie Fitzpatrick (Mount Gilead) connected from distance. After a 6-0 run from the Ravens, Sammy Shardo (Findlay/Liberty-Benton) went on a run of her own, drilling two straight trifectas. Anderson dropped in a free throw as Bluffton went into the second quarter trailing by only one point.
The scoring pace of the game picked up in the second with the visiting squad outscoring Anderson by a 21-19 count. Kyla Columber (Marion/Pleasant) got on the board quickly with a three-pointer, and connected again from outside the arc shortly after. Lindsey Smith (Mount Victory/Kenton) put together an impressive quarter, scoring nine points in the period. A pair of free throws from Olivia Zender (Fostoria/Hopewell London) gave her team a 32-31 lead going into the halftime break.
Period number three is where the women truly started to impose their will, outscoring the Ravens by 10 points. Neuhart and Morgan Smith (Arlington) ignited the jag with a 6-0 run before Fitzpatrick converted a physical layup after pulling down an offensive rebound. The final seconds proved to be the most exciting as Columber dialed long distance after an aggressive block on the other end from Lindsey Smith! Bluffton took a 54-45 lead into the final ten minutes of action.
Bluffton and Anderson continued to battle back and forth but the visiting Beavers would eventually be the ones to walk away with the seven-point victory. Fitzpatrick added to her impressive performance, dropping in a freebie and then immediately knocking down a trey. Kayla Prigge (Hamler/Patrick Henry) hit a HUGE shot from deep for a 6-point lead followed by a plethora of charity tosses from Fitzpatrick and Shardo to seal the game, 72-65.
The Smith duo made an impressive showing, both showing out with double-doubles. Morgan went for 11 points and 11 rebounds while Lindsey finished with 10 tallies and 10 caroms for her first collegiate double-double. Fitzpatrick led the Beavers in scoring with 14 and Shardo was right on her tail with 12 of her own. Neuhart and Columber added nine tallies apiece. Zender had a team-high four helpers on the evening.
Bluffton was very efficient from three-point territory, draining 9-of-22 (40.9 percent), while the home Ravens went 10-for-37 (27 percent). Bluffton dominated the glass, grabbing 55 boards compared to Anderson's 39. The visitors also cashed in at the line, converting 20-of-27 frreebies for 74.1 percent.
Next up for the women is a trip to Lexington, Ky., on Friday, Feb. 24, when the Beavers will tee it up against #2 nationally-ranked Translvania, a squad that stands 25-0 with a nearly 30 PPG victory margin! Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m. in the Beck Center with Hanover and Mount St. Joseph to follow.
-BEAVERS-
