By: Jordon Bruner and Shannon Ramer, sports information assistants
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team came out strong, but it was unable to sustain its first half momentum against Manchester College, falling 68-55. The loss dropped the Beavers to 2-13 overall, 0-6 in Heartland Conference play. The Spartans improved to 9-6, 5-1 in the HCAC.
The Beavers jumped out to an 18-7 lead with 12:40 to play in the first half. The three-point shooting of LINDSAY EBBESKOTTE(Delphos/Jefferson), TANYA RICKENBERG (Paulding/Paulding), and AMANDA BELL (Napoleon/Liberty Center) combined with LINDSAY BUSH'S (Howard East/Knox) seven points in the paint to help the Beavers grab the early lead.
Manchester countered with a run of its own over the last five minutes of the opening half to knot the game at 30 going into the break.
The Spartans, who just made it onto the floor as the halftime buzzer was sounding, raced out of the lockerroom with a 13-1 run in the first six minutes of the final stanza to take a commanding 43-31 lead. HEATHER TERFLINGER scored seven of her game-high 19 points during the stretch.
Bluffton closed the gap to seven, 51-44, with a three-pointer from VICKI AUER (Cincinnati/Roger Bacon) on an assist from Ebbeskotte.
Rickenberg hit her first of two attempts from the charity stripe for point number 1,122 to become Bluffton's career scorer leader with just under seven minutes to play in the contest. She surpassed Janice Bruner (1983-86), aunt of current player SARAH BRUNER (Wauseon/Pettisville), who ended her career with 1,121 points.
The Beavers hit 5-of-13 from long distance (39 percent), but they turned the ball over a whopping 30 times compared to 18 miscues by the Spartans who picked up 15 steals in their victory.
Rickenberg led the team with 14 points and pulled down three rebounds. Bush followed with 12 points and seven rebounds. Bell and ANGIE LEE (Mt. Blanchard/ Vanlue) added nine points apiece.
The Beavers return to action on Saturday, January 13, 2007, when they host Hanover College in the first game of a Heartland Conference doubleheader. Tip-off in Founders Hall is scheduled for 1 p.m. with the men slated to face the Panthers at 3 p.m.
-BEAVERS-