By: Brandy Bidlack, sports information assistant
February 23, 2008
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team took down HCAC-rival Transylvania University, 73-63, on Saturday, February 23, 2008. The Beavers wrapped up their 2007-08 campaign with a record of 10-15 overall and 4-12 in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Transylvania dropped to 14-11 overall and 10-6 in the HCAC. Bluffton's 10 victories were the most wins by a Bluffton women's basketball team since the 2000-01 squad went 12-14. The win also marked the first-ever victory against the Pioneers in 14 attempts.
A layup from GINNY BUCKINGHAM (Bluffton/Bluffton) put Bluffton on the board first thanks to a dish from senior ANGIE LEE(Mt. Blanchard/Vanlue). AMANDA BELL (Napoleon/Liberty Center) then drilled a three-pointer at the 17:56 mark. Transylvania went on a 12-2 run over the next three minutes before sophomore KATIE LORD (Toledo/Whitmer) found a wide-open LINDSAY EBBESKOTTE (Delphos/Jefferson) for a jumper that pulled the Beavers within five of the Pioneers.
KIM MILLER (Delphos/Jefferson) chipped in with a layup to cut the deficit to three points. Bluffton took the lead when LINDSAY BUSH (Howard/East Knox) converted an old-fashioned three-point play at the seven-minute mark. Bell hit a jumper, and then hit Bush for a layin to increase the Bluffton edge to 10 points, 28-18.
With 2:40 left in the first half, Buckingham added two more points for the Beavers, thanks to an assist from Ebbeskotte. Ebbeskotte then hit a jumper and with ten seconds left before halftime, Lee drove to the basket for two more points, making the score 34-25 at the break.
The beginning of the second half started with a flurry of three-point baskets. Lee sank a trey, followed by a triple from Pioneer BRITTANY HENDERLIGHT. Bell answered with a triple, and Lee once again hit from behind the arc to give Bluffton the nine-point lead, 43-34, at the 16:18 mark.
Amanda Bell got to the hoop for a deuce, and then Lee and Bell both dialed long distance midway through the period. After a drive from Lee, Bush added four more points for the Beavers.
With 3:15 left in the game, Buckingham made a layup following a slick feed from Bell. A Bush jumper put Bluffton back up by double digits. A Bell bucket provided the last two Bluffton points of the game and the Beavers took the victory, 73-63, over HCAC-rival Transy in the final game of the 2007-08 season.
Lindsay Bush established a new Bluffton University women's basketball rebounding record with 647 career rebounds, breaking Diane Kempf's mark of 643 set from 1988-91. Bush racked up her 16th career double-double with 16 boards and 13 points. Seniors Angie Lee and Amanda Bell tallied 21 and 20 points, respectively. Bell's 20 points set a new career-high in her final contest. Kim Miller dished out a career-high 10 assists and grabbed five caroms. Ginny Buckingham pulled down nine rebounds and chipped in with eight points.
The Pioneers were led by KELSEY MCCARTY with 22 points and 10 rebounds. OLIVIA AKRIDGE finished with six assists and picked up three steals for Transylvania. SARA SEXTON and Brittany Henderlight chipped in with 13 and 10 points, respectively.
Bluffton went 31-for-65 (47.7 percent) from the field, compared to 23-of-56 (41.1 percent) for Transylvania. The Beavers made seven treys, two more than the Pioneers. Bluffton hit only 4-of-8 (50 percent) from the free throw line, while Transylvania made 12-of-16 (75 percent) from the charity stripe. The Beavers ripped down six more boards than the Pioneers, 38-32, and Bluffton turned the ball over only 11 times, three less miscues than the visitors committed.
-BEAVERS-