By Tim Stried
February 12, 2003

Bluffton College trailed by just two points at halftime, 28-26, but a visiting Franklin College squad out-scored the Beavers 53-22 in the second half to claim an 81-48 win in Founders Hall Wednesday night.

A 7-0 Bluffton run late in the first half that included a jumper from senior Paula Fry, the first collegiate 3-pointer for sophomore Cara Young, and a pair of free throws by freshman Karen Schaller gave the Beavers a 22-20 lead with 5:02 remaining before halftime.

Bluffton was 3-for-5 from 3-point range in the first half, while Franklin was 1-for-8, but it was different story in the second half as BC went 0-for-5 from beyond the arc and the Grizzlies were 6-for-13.

Franklin improves to 15-7 overall and 8-3 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference, while Bluffton falls to 2-19 overall and 1-11 in the HCAC.

Young finished the game with 10 points, as did senior Melissa James, who grabbed nine rebounds to narrowly miss what would have been her third career double-double.

Franklin, which ranks among the HCAC's top defensive clubs, held BC to a season-low 13 made field goals and forced the Beavers into 33 turnovers. However, Bluffton was an impressive 19-for-27 (70.4%) from the free throw line and out-rebounded Franklin 40-36.

BC freshman Mandy Wightman was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line and finished with eight points, while Schaller chipped in six.

Bluffton will travel to Transylvania University on Saturday at 2 p.m.