February 20, 2001


Bluffton College advanced to the semi-finals of the Heartland Conference tournament with a 69-66 win over Anderson University Tuesday night in Founders Hall. BC, the #4 seed in the tourney, will meet #1 seed Defiance College on Friday night at 8:00 at Defiance.

Bluffton took a 32-25 lead at halftime but found themselves trailing 53-47 with 10:17 left in the game. The Beavers turned things around quickly, however, and went on a 15-3 run to go up by six points with under four minutes left in the game. Two AU 3-pointers helped tie the game at 66-66 with 39 seconds to play, but Jen Bear sank two free throws and Karen Harris added one more to send Bluffton to their 12th win of the season and a date with Defiance.

It was Bluffton's third win this season over Anderson, and with their 41.3% shooting effort from the floor marked the first time this season that either team has shot over 40% against each other. AU was held to 32.8% shooting from the floor but did convert on 11 of 21 3-pointers and connected on 11 of 12 free throws.

Bear led all scorers with 20 points and her 11 rebounds gave her double-double number five on the season. Kristy Crall scored 14 points and Elizabeth Snavely chipped in 12.

Senior Liz Bock's four blocked shots came within one block of the BC single game record as Bluffton rejected a season-high 10 shots during the game.

Christy Clodfelder led Anderson with 19 points.

Seniors Jen Bear, Liz Bock, Kristy Crall, Elizabeth Snavely and Bree Wood all played their final game in Founders Hall and now take the Beavers to the HCAC tournament final four for the second straight season. Senior Amy Aschemeier did not play due to a shoulder injury that has sidelined her for the past two weeks.