By: Ethan Stearns, sports information assistant
ANDERSON, Ind. - Anderson University added a tally to their win column with a 83-67 victory over the Beavers on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2023. The Ravens improved to 5-4 with a 2-2 conference record. Bluffton fell to 2-5 overall and 1-2 in HCAC play.
The first period was neck and neck as Anderson ended the quarter with a three-point advantage (18-15). Maddie Fitzpatrick (Mount Gilead) tied the game up early as she opened her squad's scoring with a mid-range jump shot. Thanks to some free throws from Katie Neuhart (Delaware/Delaware Christian) and a smooth layin courtesy of Rachel Clark (Lima/Bath), the visitors took their only lead of the game, 8-6, at the 7:15 mark. Neuhart was able to grab a rebound and score a bunny with 12 seconds left in the first, pulling the Beavers within three.
Following an early second-quarter triple from Kayla Prigge (Hamler/Patrick Henry), the home team went on a 16-2 run and never looked back. Fitzpatrick rattled off five in a row with a three and a coast-to-coast layup. Kyla Columber (Marion/Pleasant) dialed long distance right before Anderson was able to connect on a tough turnaround jumper which beat the first-half buzzer, giving them a 51-34 lead at the break.
After a Fitzpatrick layin and another mid-range hit from Neuhart, Bluffton was still in a 20-point hole. Both teams went back and forth before Lindsey Smith (Mount Victory/Kenton) connected on a jumper at the end of the third, but the Beavers trailed 67-46 going to the final stanza.
Columber started the fourth on fire, lighting the net up with seven straight points. Despite a couple free throws for Prigge at the 5:26 mark, and another strong finish from Neuhart, the visitors were not able to keep up with the Anderson offensive performance in an 83-67 loss to the Ravens.
Fitzpatrick returned from her injury in strong fashion, leading Bluffton in scoring with 14 points, shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from the charity stripe. Smith pulled down seven boards and Fitzpatrick also led the way with helpers, passing out four assists!
Both teams attempted 62 field goals, with Bluffton making 22 shots (35.5 percent) and AU connecting 32 times (51.6 percent). The road squad barely edged its opponent at the line, going 18-of-22 (81.8 percent), compared to 12-for-15 (80 percent). Bluffton outrebounded Anderson by two (37-35), but also had one more turnover (14-13).
The women will have nine days to prepare for the reigning national champions as they face off with Transylvania on Monday, Dec. 18, at 4 p.m. in the Sommer Center.
-BEAVERS-