NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. - The Bluffton University women hammered away inside on the way to a 69-45 flogging of Manchester University on a rare Tuesday night of Heartland Conference action. Bluffton improved to 17-6 overall and 12-4 in the Heartland Conference, securing the #2 seed in the upcoming Heartland Conference Tournament in the process! Manchester fell to 7-16 and 4-10 in the HCAC.
In a game that never had overtime written all over it like the men's duel did, Bluffton led 18-12 after one frame and 32-19 at the break. Morgan Smith (Arlington) bucketed 14 points in the first half and the Beavers never looked back as they went up 37-19 following a Kayla Prigge (Hamler/Patrick Henry) triple two minutes into the third quarter. A Sammy Shardo (Findlay/Liberty-Benton) bomb pushed it to 53-31 late in the stanza and Bluffton led by 20 with 10 minutes to play.
Smith got the rack with 5:55 on the clock, giving the Beavers a comfortable 62-40 lead and from there Coach Shutler opened the turnstiles and everyone got a chance at the Spartans. Sydney Cavanaugh (Mansfield/St. Peter's) dialed long distance following four markers from Lindsey Smith (Mount Victory/Kenton) as all 17 visitors saw Stauffer-Wolfe Arena up close and personal.
Coming up just two points shy of her career-high, Morgan Smith hit 10-of-14 from the field for a game-high 22 markers. Her 11 boards added up to the junior's 4th career double-double. Emma Saltzman (Arcadia) dropped in 10 points on 3-of-4 from the field, while Prigge chipped in with eight counters. Brianna Gillig (New Riegel) finished with six points and six rebounds. Peyton Henry (Leipsic) dished out five assists and Prigge came up with three steals.
Bluffton hit 25-of-53 from the field for 47.2 percent, while holding Manchester to a miniscule 16-of-59 (27.1 percent) shooting night. The Beavers struggled to a 16-of-25 (64.0 percent) display at the line, but Manchester did not take advantage, making only 10-of-21 (47.6 percent) on its charity tosses.
The Beavers will return to the Sommer Center for a Senior Night shindig with rival Defiance College on Friday, Feb. 18. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.
-BEAVERS-