January 28, 2017
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University woman's basketball team took on Rose-Hulman in a crucial battle for the top spot in the HCAC. It was four quarters of hard fought basketball by both teams but the visiting Engineers would come out with the 49-47 victory. The loss dropped the Beavers to 15-4 on the season and 9-3 in the Heartland Conference. Rose-Hulman improved to 16-3 overall and 11-1 in conference play.

Down 4-2 to start the contest, the Beavers rattled off eight unanswered points for a 10-4 lead with 2:31 left in the first quarter. The two heavyweights would trade baskets until Bluffton generated some breathing room with an 8-0 spurt to end the half capped when freshman TJ MILLS (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) drilled a corner three just before the buzzer, giving Bluffton a 28-18 lead at half.

The Fighting Engineers came out and scored the first six points of the third quarter before MACEY SHEERER (Bucyrus) hit one from downtown to put Bluffton back up 31-24 with 7:48 on the clock. The Beavers struggled offensively throughout the third period as Rose-Hulman pulled within one, 38-37 at the conclusion of the quarter. The Fightin' Engineers outscored Bluffton 14-0 in the paint during the third period.

The home team used a 7-0 spurt over the first four minutes of the fourth stanza, capped off by an old-fashioned three-point play by KAYCEE ROWE (Harrod/Allen East) to open a 45-37 advantage. Despite the eight-point lead, Bluffton was unable to hold off the visitors who scored 11 unanswered to go up 48-45 with only 43 seconds left in regulation. A pair of free throws by Rowe pulled the Beavers within one, but an ABBY BROMENSCHENKEL free throw sealed the 49-47 victory for the visitors.

Kaycee Rowe was the only Beaver in double-digits as she dropped 19 with five assists. Macey Sheerer added nine points with nine boards and TJ Mills notched seven counters in the loss.

Bluffton struggled from the floor, going just 17-of-46 (37 percent) and 3-of-12 (25 percent) from behind the arc. It was also a game of turnovers as the Beavers coughed the ball up 18 times to 13 for the Engineers. Bluffton came up short in the rebounding battle (41-34) and 23 RHIT offensive rebounds led to 17 second chance points for the Engineers, compared to just seven for the home team.

The Beavers will be back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m. when they host Manchester University. Come out and support your Beavers!

-BEAVERS-