January 6, 2018
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant

BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team looked to continue its hot start in conference play when they faced off against Anderson University on Saturday, Jan. 6. Ball movement was key as four Beavers notched double-figures in the scoring column with Bluffton marching to a 72-43 win over the Ravens while moving to 10-3 (5-1 HCAC) on the season.

Bluffton jumped out to a 20-9 advantage following a layup by freshman NORA HEMMINGER(McComb). After outscoring Anderson 9-0 on points off turnovers, the Beavers led 22-12 following the first quarter. TJ MILLS (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) picked off a pass and went the other way with a layup to give the home team a 33-15 lead with 6:08 left in the half. The Ravens would finish the half splitting a pair of free throws but Bluffton still led 41-19 at the break.

The Beavers would open up the second half on a 14-9 run for a commanding 55-28 spread with 3:15 left in the third quarter after Nora Hemminger dropped in a pair of free throws. The Beavers pushed the lead to 29 following an old-fashioned three-point play by ABBIE PARKINS(Bluffton) which put the home team up 69-40. Parkins added two more from the charity stripe in the final seconds, capping off the 72-43 victory.

Nora Hemminger came out as Bluffton's top scorer dropping a career-high 11 points on 4-of-5 from the field. Parkins was a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line for a career-best seven markers. KAYCEE ROWE (Harrod/Allen East) added 10 points, four assists and five rebounds, while TJ Mills and DJ KEESEY (Cadiz/Harrison Central) each chipped in 10 points. The double figures marked a career-high for Keesey! Rowe's 10 left her just 17 from becoming the 11th woman in Bluffton history to reach 1,000 career points.

The Beavers were able to take advantage of 26 Raven turnovers as they outscored the visitors 33-5 in points off miscues. Bluffton knocked down 37.8 percent of their shots from the field (28-of-74) while Anderson managed just 26.3 percent (15-for-57). The bench played a crucial role as the Beaver reserves outscored Anderson by a 40-13 margin. Both teams pulled down 47 rebounds but Bluffton picked up nine more steals (16-7).

Next up for the Beavers will be a rivalry game at home against the other purple school, the Defiance College Yellow Jackets, set to tip at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 10, following the first day of class for the Bluffton students. Come out and support your Beavers!

-BEAVERS-