By Tim Stried
January 11, 2003

Bluffton College put together a strong second half performance against Anderson University Saturday afternoon in Founders Hall, but the Ravens' big halftime lead was too much to overcome as the Beavers fell 76-48.

Bluffton trailed 44-19 at halftime as Anderson made all 11 of their foul shots and shot 51.9% from the floor in the first half, while holding BC to a 25% clip. In the second half, however, Bluffton held Anderson to a 38.1% shooting percentage and increased its own shooting effort to 34.6%.

For the game, Bluffton out-rebounded Anderson 35-32 and evidence of BC's strong play was the fact that the Beavers went to the free throw line a season-high 30 times, converting on a season-high 19 of those chances.

However, Anderson, which improves to 11-2 overall and 3-1 in the HCAC, was 27-for-32 from the line, which marked the most freebies allowed by BC this season. AU held Bluffton (1-12, 0-5 HCAC) to a season-low 14 made field goals and one 3-pointer.

Senior Lyndsey Robinson led Bluffton with 18 points and her eight rebounds shared team-high rebounding honors with senior Melissa James, who scored 12 points. Junior Karen Harris added eight points.

Bluffton held Anderson junior Angel Hall to 16 points, which was eight points below her league-leading average of 23.9 points per game. AU senior Kelly McMillan, who scored 37 points in their last game, scored a game-high 25 points Saturday.

Bluffton will return to action Wednesday night at home against Thomas More College at 7 p.m.