January 27, 2018
By: Takayla Gadberry, sports information assistant
BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team welcomed back alumni as they matched up with the Hanover College Panthers on Jan. 27, 2018. After a second half rally, the Beavers improved to 14-5 on the season (9-3 HCAC). Hanover fell to 12-7 overall (8-4 HCAC).
The Panthers controlled the tip but the Beavers converted the first bucket of the game just 22 seconds in courtesy of a triple from sophomore BREANNA GRAHAM (Springboro). A three-pointer by MACEY SHEERER (Bucyrus) put the home team up 11-8. With the lead changing six times, a shot from the paint by senior KAYCEE ROWE (Harrod/Allen East) made it 17-16 Bluffton after one period.
Hanover regained the lead early in the second quarter and added to it throughout remainder of the half. A trifecta by TJ MILLS (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) cut the deficit to just one before a 6-0 run by the Panthers and a deep ball at the buzzer made it 43-31 visitors at the break.
Bluffton came out on fire in the second half. Despite being down by double digits at halftime, a HEIDI CRADDOCK (Lima/Bath) triple paired with a 5-0 run from the Beavers cut Hanover's lead to just four. A shot from behind the arc by freshman NORA HEMMINGER (McComb) pulled Bluffton within one (50-49) going into the final quarter.
The Beavers came from behind early in the fourth quarter after a tip-in by CHELSEA MOORE(Delaware/Olentangy) put Bluffton ahead for the first time since the end of the first. Back to back layups by ABIGAIL O'DONNELL (Arcanum) and Macey Sheerer put the Beavers up 62-54. Four Panther free throws and a layup tied the game at 62 with just 48 seconds left in regulation. Two makes from the charity stripe by Kaycee Rowe put the Beavers up by two to seal the victory.
Bluffton was led offensively by senior Kaycee Rowe. She fashioned her 14th career double-double as she bucketed 15 points and pulled down 12 boards. Two other Beavers were in double digits as Macey Sheerer finished with 11 points with nine rebounds along with her four assists. Abigail O'Donnell contributed 10 points and seven boards for the victors.
The Beavers went 23-of-65 (35.4 percent) from the field and 10-of-14 (71.4 percent) from the free throw line, just falling short of the Panthers who hit 20-of-49 (40.8 percent) and 19-for-22 (86.4 percent), respectively. Bluffton took advantage of a Hanover defense willing to concede the long ball, hitting 8-of-24 (33.3 percent) with the Panthers just 3-of-12 (25 percent) from distance. The visiting team also coughed the ball up five more times (15-10).
Bluffton's women will be back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 31, when they head south to Cincinnati to take on Mount St. Joseph University. Tip off is slated for 7:30 p.m. Good luck ladies!
-BEAVERS-