By Molly Burnell, sports information assistant
February 4, 2006
LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Bluffton University women's basketball team (2-19, 0-10 HCAC) fell to the Transylvania University Pioneers (8-12, 6-4) by a final score of 65-47 on Saturday, February 4, 2006. The Pioneers used three-pointers and points off turnovers to control the contest.
Transy jumped out to a quick 9-2 lead before two TANYA RICKENBERG (Paulding/Paulding) free throws started the Bluffton comeback. JACKIE DISTLER responded with a bucket of her own to open up a seven-point Pioneer advantage. SophomoreANGIE LEE (Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue) nailed two freebies and Rickenberg followed with a field goal to bring Bluffton to within three points (13-10). Another Lee bucket and an AMANDA BELL (Napoleon/Liberty Center) jumper gave the Beavers their first lead of the contest, 14-13, with 14:42 to play. Sophomore ASHLEIGH STALLKMAP (Paulding/Paulding) connected on a basket to push the Bluffton advantage to three points with 13 minutes to play in the period. The Pioneers then turned up the offense as a NATALIE TUBBS triple tied the contest at 16 and a Gilbert lay up gave Transy a two-point lead (18-16). Two more Rickenberg foul shots tied the contest one more time at 18 points. Bluffton only managed four points in the remaining ten minutes of the first period as Transy rallied to take a 14-point lead (36-22) into the locker room.
The Pioneers started the second half in the same manner they started the first period as they came out and opened up a 17-point lead. Free throws by senior KARIN SCHALLER (Jenera/Arlington) and Bell pulled the Beavers to within 13 points three minutes into the period. Bluffton would get no closer as Transy controlled the game at both ends of the floor. The Pioneers converted Beaver turnovers and missed shots into points at the other end. When JESSICA HANSON hit a jumper with 8:44 to play she capped a 15-4 Pioneer run which put Transylvania on top 54-30. The Beavers trimmed the gap to 17 points (60-43) when freshman SARAH BRUNER (Wauseon/Pettisville) took a CHELSEA MOORHEAD (McComb/McComb) pass to the hoop, but the Pioneers held on to drop the Beavers by a final score of 65-47.
Rickenberg led Bluffton with 12 points and seven rebounds. Lee added ten points and pulled down five boards. Bruner hauled in seven rebounds. Bell dished out three assists and finished with three steals.
Bluffton returns to action on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 when it hosts HCAC foe Mount St. Joseph in Founders Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.