By Molly Burnell, sports information assistant
February 1, 2006
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team (2-18, 0-9 HCAC) fell to Heartland Conference leading Franklin College (17-3, 8-1 HCAC) 100-77 on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 in Founders Hall. Senior KARIN SCHALLER(Jenera/Arlington) pulled down her 500th career rebound in the loss as she totaled six boards on the evening.
Sophomore ANGIE LEE (Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue) started the Beavers out with a quick three-pointer to open up the contest. Franklin's KELLY SNIDER responded with a triple of her own to tie the game at three. The Snider trey started a 7-0 run for the Grizzlies until ASHLEIGH STALLKAMP (Paulding/Paulding) knocked in a free throw with 16:47 to play in the period. Jumpers by Lee and junior TANYA RICKENBERG (Paulding/Paulding) pulled the Beavers to within one point until two lay-ups by Franklin gave the Grizzlies a five-point advantage six minutes into the contest. Bluffton played tough defense and capitalized on missed shots and turnovers by Franklin as a Schaller jumper gave the Beavers their first lead of the game, 14-13. The Grizzles came back as LESLIE MEHRLICH drove past the Bluffton defense for a bucket and RACHELLE DURCHOLZ drained a three-pointer to give Franklin a six-point lead (20-14). The Beavers started a comeback of their own as two Schaller free throws, a Stallkamp trey and a Lee bucket gave the home team a one-point cushion with 8:57 to play. Both teams traded baskets over the next minutes until back-to-back LINDSEY ROBERSON three-pointers (7-of-10 for the contest) pushed the Franklin lead to six points with 6:45 remaining. The Grizzlies controlled the remainder of the period and they took a 10-point advantage into the locker room, 45-35.
Two BECKY BALLARD buckets opened up the second half as Franklin took a 14-point lead. LINDSAY BUSH (Howard/East Knox) and Stallkamp each managed a bucket and a Rickenberg lay-in brought the Beavers to within 10 points with 18:00 to play. Lee, who sliced and diced her way to the basket all night, found the hoop three times to help the Bluffton cause. Franklin, who connected on 13 triples in the contest, buried five three-pointers during the first 10 minutes of the second half and took a 23-point advantage with 10:13 remaining. Bluffton broke through the Grizzly defense when they found the seams and connected on key shots in the final minutes, but Franklin was too much for the Beavers as they took the contest by a final score of 100-77.
Lee posted 15 points on the evening and dished out a career-high nine assists. Stallkamp scored a team-high 17, including three triples. Bush added 11 points and swatted down four shots on the evening. Schaller found the basket for ten points and a team-high six rebounds. She also blocked three shots in the game. Rickenberg rounded out double-digit scoring for the Beavers with 10 points. Sophomore AMANDA BELL (Napoleon/Liberty Center) and freshman SARAH BRUNER (Wauseon/Pettisville) each added six boards.
Bluffton returns to action on Saturday, February 4, 2006 when it travels to Transylvania. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.