By: Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Bluffton University women's basketball team wrapped up its season on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, following a tough matchup with the 2nd ranked team in the nation for Division 3, the Transylvania University Pioneers. The Beaver finished with a 16-10 record. Transy stays perfect with an impressive 26-0 mark as they remain the favorites to take home the Heartland Conference trophy again this year.
The Beavers put up a great fight the entire night and went head-to-head with the Pioneers straight out of the gate, trailing by just five at the end of the first. Morgan Smith (Arlington) got going early with a quick layup before freshman Katie Neuhart (Delaware/Delaware Christian) knocked down two straight mid-range jumpers. Peyton Henry (Leipsic) hit a bunny with 22 seconds left to make the score 21-16 at the end of the opening period.
The home team expanded its lead in the second, outscoring the Beavers by 10 points. Bluffton struggled to score until Sammy Shardo (Findlay/Liberty-Benton) converted two free throws at the 6:36 mark. Kayla Prigge (Hamler/Patrick Henry) followed with a hit from distance thanks to an assist from Olivia Zender (Fostoria/Hopewell Loudon). Lindsey Smith (Mount Victory/Kenton) got to the rack with 24 seconds left and the Beavers went into the break trailing by a 43-28 count.
The Pioneers continued to pull away in the second half, going into the final period with an 18-point lead. Morgan Smith opened up the third with three straight jumpers. Maddie Fitzpatrick (Mount Gilead) added a pair of freebies shortly after. Shardo dialed in a jumper of her own at the 1:41 mark and despite another late layup from Henry, Bluffton was behind 61-43 to start the fourth.
Kyla Columber (Marion/Pleasant) added two charity strikes to her team's effort at the 6:16 mark and then Neuhart put in a tough layup after some contact. Lacie Fenstermaker (Leipsic/Pandora) finished a layup off a Tamron Brinkman (Dayton/East Dayton Christian) dime as the Bluffton season came to an end with an 82-55 loss on Friday night.
Morgan Smith, who was named to the All-Tournament Team, and Neuhart led their squad with 12 tallies apiece. Smith and Fitzpatrick both added four caroms. Zender led the visitors with four assists. Fitzpatrick picked up two steals in the season finale.
Bluffton was very efficient from the charity stripe, draining 10-of-12 (83.3 percent), while the Pioneers finished 13-of-21 (61.9 percent). Transy used its size to dominate on the glass, outrebounding Bluffton by a 40-29 margin, including a 15-9 edge on the offensive end. The Beavers struggled to a 21-of-58 shooting night from the field (36.2 percent).
-BEAVERS-
