BLUFFTON, Ohio - The Bluffton University women's basketball team overcame a slow start to post a convincing 62-44 win over long-time rival Defiance College on Monday, Dec. 30, 2024. The Beavers improved to 7-4, while DC fell to 2-11 on the season.
Both teams struggled to find the mark in the first quarter as they combined for just 15 points. Bluffton led 9-6 on the strength of five markers from senior Kayla Prigge (Hamler/Patrick Henry).
Defiance ruled period number two, using a 21-16 spread to take a 27-25 lead at the break. Senior Lindsey Smith (Mt. Victory/Kenton) scored half of Bluffton's points, going 4-of-5 from the field while Prigge was dishing out three assists.
Things took a turn for the better in the third stanza as Smith hit back-to-back chip shots for a 29-27 Bluffton lead before junior Madison Brown (Montpelier/North Central) got to the rack and then split a pair at the charity stripe. A Defiance layup with 5:16 to play in the quarter made it a one-point game, but the home team rolled off nine straight markers for a 41-31 spread with 10 minutes to play. Prigge knocked down a triple and Lacie Fenstermaker (Leipsic/Pandora-Gilboa) added four points in the 9-0 spurt.
Sophomore Rachel Clark (Lima/Bath) scored five quick points to kick off the final frame before bunnies by Fenstermaker and Smith pushed the lead to 50-33 at the 7:17 mark. A pair of old-fashioned three-point plays from Tamron Brinkman (Dayton/East Dayton Christian) followed by another Brinkman bucket put the game on ice. Brown drilled three free throws and Jessica Moore (Trenton/Edgewood) knocked down 1-of-2 at the line to make the final score 62-44 on Monday night.
Smith went 7-of-12 from the field for a game-high 14 points and she also tied her career-high with 12 rebounds for her 5th double-double! Brown notched her 3rd career double-double with 12 points and 10 boards. She also led the Beavers with five dimes. Brinkman chipped in with 10 points and seven rebounds, while Fenstermaker added eight counters and eight caroms. Smith blocked three shots and Clark picked up three steals.
Bluffton hit 23-of-55 (41.8 percent) from the field, but just 3-for-12 (25 percent) outside the arc. The Beavers also struggled at the line, making only 13-of-22 (59.1 percent). Bluffton dominated the glass with a 50-37 advantage on the boards, but the home team coughed it up five more times (18-13).
The Bluffton women will be back in the Sommer Center for some Heartland Conference action on Saturday, Jan. 4, when Hanover College comes to town. Game two of a men's and women's double feature will tip off at approximately 3 p.m.
-BEAVERS-