January 7, 2012
By: Keisha Holtsberry, sports information assistant

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women fell to Hanover College 80-48 on Saturday, Jan. 7, 2012. The Beavers fell to 2-11 and 0-6 in the HCAC. Hanover upped its mark to 9-3 overall and 5-1 in the HCAC.

Hanover came out ready to play at both ends of the floor, holding the Beavers scoreless until the 11:19 mark when Bluffton finally got on the scoreboard with a hoop-and-harm from juniorLAUREN HUTTON (New Riegel). The three-point play snapped a string of 20 consecutive points by the visitors to start the game. 

Bluffton cut Hanover's lead to 16 points at the 8:32 mark with a jumper by junior FRANCENA TATE (Fostoria/St. Wendelin). The visitors continued to force Bluffton miscues as the Panthers parlayed 25 first half turnovers into a 48-18 lead at the break.

Senior BRITTANY LEWIS (Springfield/Shawnee) opened the Bluffton scoring in second half with a fast break layup. The Beavers added six more points in the next four minutes. RACHEL DAMAN (Defiance/Tinora), Lewis, and Hutton each contributed two points. Although the home team continued to battle throughout the final 10 minutes the game, the Beavers were unable to get closer than 30 points as Hanover wrapped up its 80-48 victory.

The home team was led by Lewis with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists. Hutton contributed nine points and seven rebounds. Hanover received an outstanding performance from junior COURTNEY PRATER who led the onslaught with 24 points, 13 rebounds and four steals.

The Beavers were 20-for-52 (38.5 percent) were from the field, while Hanover went 26-of-67 (38.8 percent). Bluffton hit 6-of-11 (54.5 percent) at the foul line, while Hanover finished 23-of-37 (62.2 percent) from the stripe. Hanover took advantage of a 34-17 turnover advantage while the Panthers also forged a 45-41 edge on the glass.

Bluffton returns to action on Wednesday, Jan. 11 when it travels to Earlham College. The contest in Richmond, Ind. is slated for 7:30 p.m.

-BEAVERS-