By: Takayla Gadberry, sports information assistant
OBERLIN, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team traveled to Oberlin College on Saturday, Nov. 23, for an early afternoon matchup. The Beavers secured a tight 87-85 victory over the Yeowomen in overtime. The women kept their undefeated streak alive at 3-0 following the victory.
Back and forth baskets from both teams kept the score tied until midway through the first quarter when Bluffton used a 5-0 run to take an 11-6 lead with three minutes on the clock. A layup from freshman Sammy Shardo (Findlay/Liberty-Benton) gave the Beavers a 16-15 lead. A Nora Hemminger (McComb) triple put the visitors up 31-26 but they couldn't hold the lead as Oberlin came back to tie the game at 35-35 going into the half.
A Brianna Gillig (New Riegel) make from beyond the arc gave the Beavers a 39-35 lead early in the second stanza. Oberlin continued to put on the pressure as a layup from by Jasmine Sorrells made the score 40-39 in favor of Hiram. Another Hemminger shot would put Bluffton back on top 51-50 but an Oberlin layup at the buzzer from Tyler Collins would give the Yeowomen a 52-51 lead going into the final quarter.
Oberlin pushed their lead early in the fourth quarter, but a Gillig layup would put the Beavers back on top 59-58. The Yeowomen would regain the lead and hold it for much of the last quarter until two shots from the charity stripe and a deep triple for Hemminger put Bluffton up 72-70 with 47 seconds to play. Oberlin's Sammy Spanier hit a layup which tied the game at 72-72 and sent it into overtime.
A shot from deep and two freebies for Tj Mills (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) put the Beavers up 77-75 with 3:55 and they never looked back. Oberlin's Spanier put up a three with one second to go but it wasn't enough as the Beavers capped off an 87-85 victory.
The Beavers placed four women in double figures, led by a career-high 25 points from Gillig who was 8-of-17 from the field. Mills and Brock chipped in with 19 and 18 markers, respectively, while Hemminger added 13 counters. Hemminger also ripped down a career-high nine boards. Mills, Gillig and junior Abbie Parkins (Bluffton) all picked off three steals in the victory.
Bluffton put up 27-of-59 (45.8 percent) from the field, including 5-of-12 (41.7 percent) from distance. Oberlin connected on 36-of-76 (47.4 percent) from the field and 6-of-14 (42.9 percent) from far. Bluffton made 28-of-42 (66.7 percent) of their shots from the line, compared to Oberlin's 7-for-9 (77.8 percent). The Beavers pulled down one fewer board (39-38) but had four more fast break points (10-6).
The women are back in action on Tuesday, Nov. 26, when they welcome Heidelberg University to Copeland Court. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m. Come out and support your Beavers with a little pre-Thanksgiving treat!
-BEAVERS-