By Bill Hanefeld Jr., sports information director
December 28, 2005

The Bluffton University women's basketball team (2-8) made a valiant comeback but could not maintain the momentum as it fell 73-64 to Case Western Reserve (5-3) on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 in Founders Hall. First half turnovers proved to be the difference in the game as the Beavers made 21 of their 30 miscues in the opening stanza.

Bluffton turned the ball over 10 times during the first five minutes of the game as it dug a 13-0 hole before TANYA RICKENBERG (Paulding/Paulding) knocked down a jumper to put the Beavers on the scoreboard with 14 minutes to play in the first half. Following a LAVONNE SHERALD bucket, Bluffton rolled off eight consecutive points to cut the Spartan advantage to five (15-10). An ASHLEY HORTON layup gave Case its largest lead of the game (28-14) with five minutes to play in the opening half. Sophomore ASHLEIGH STALLKAMP (Paulding/Paulding) helped the Beavers claw back into the game as she scored six points during the final five minutes to trim the Spartan advantage to six (33-27) at the break.

Case opened a 10 point lead early in the second half when DANA DEMPSEY knocked down a short jumper. ANGIE LEE (Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue) drained a triple and KARIN SCHALLER (Jenera/Arlington) found the hoop twice and hit a pair of free throws to cap a 13-2 run as Bluffton took its first lead of the game 40-39 with 14 minutes to play. The teams traded baskets and foul shots until Rickenberg hit from in close to give the Beavers a three point advantage (54-51) at the 5:34 mark. The Spartans would not go away however as they used excellent free throw shooting down the stretch and untimely Beaver turnovers to pull away from Bluffton during the waning minutes of the game and claim a 73-64 victory in Founders Hall.

Rickenberg paced the Beavers with 18 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and three steals. Senior Karin Schaller came off the bench to spark Bluffton with 14 points on 5-8 shooting from the field and nine boards. Ashleigh Stallkamp returned after missing the Thomas More contest with an injured ankle to lead the Beavers with 19 points on 7-15 shooting. Sophomore AMANDA BELL(Napoleon/Liberty Center) chipped in with seven rebounds and four assists.

The Beavers return to action on Friday, December 30, 2005 when they travel to Adrian College. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.