By Tim Stried
November 30, 2002

Bluffton College led for the first 34 minutes of the game but a visiting Denison University squad pulled away down the stretch for a 63-52 win over the Beavers Saturday evening in Founders Hall.

A 15-0 run gave Bluffton a 20-6 lead with ten minutes remaining in the first half, which gave the Beavers what would be their biggest lead of the night at 14 points. Denison held BC without a field goal over the final three minutes of the first half, however, but Bluffton led 28-23 at halftime.

In the first half Bluffton shot 44% from the floor and held Denison to a 24.1% shooting effort as senior Paula Fry scored eight points to lead the offense. In the second half, however, Denison held BC to a 36% shooting performance and forced 13 Beaver turnovers.

For the game, Bluffton established new season-highs for points (53), field goal percentage (.400), 3-pointers made (4), 3-point field goal percentage (.400), assists (13) and blocked shots (2).

Foul trouble hurt Bluffton as BC was whistled for 25 fouls, which sent Denison to the free throw line 29 times. The Big Red connected on 25 of those free tosses.

Senior Melissa James scored a game-high 17 points, while senior Lyndsey Robinson added 12 points. Junior Karen Harris chipped in 10 points.

The game was Bluffton's last at home until January. BC will travel to Manchester College Wednesday night to open play in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference.