By Martin Kluk, sports information intern
Stats http://www.bluffton.edu/sports/womensbasketball/2012/01-14-wb.htm
An offensive outburst to start the second half paved the way for the Beavers first back-to-back wins of the season against Anderson University on Saturday, Jan. 14. Down by three at halftime (21-18), the team went on a 27-8 jag in the first eight minutes of the second stanza to take control of the game. The run was orchestrated by six consecutive three-pointers from a trio of seniors, including Rachel Daman (Defiance/Tinora) with three, Brittany Stegmaier (Garfield/Trinity) with two and Alicia Amis (Woodstock/Mechanicsburg).
The first half was an offensive struggle for both teams. Shooting 20 percent from the field, including 0-for-11 on threes, was not what the team had envisioned for the first 20 minutes. Committing only nine turnovers for the entire game, the team did a great job of taking care of the ball but struggled to find the rim. However, Coach Shutler's words at halftime made an impact and they came out firing on all cylinders to open the second period.
Daman kicked off the three-point shooting clinic with a trey that tied the game at 23 three minutes into the second period. Just 20 seconds later, a steal by Amis led to the second straight trey from Daman before another AU turnover on the very next possession set up a three by Amis and the trend continued as the visitors built a 45-29 lead.
Anderson continued to battle and the home team answered with a run of its own. A three-pointer by Mallory Miller with 7:55 left in the game cut the Ravens' deficit to eight points. Two free throw makes by Kylee Burkholder (West Unity/Hilltop) pushed the lead back up to 10 but after a few minutes of back and forth scoring, the Bluffton advantage was trimmed to six with 2:38 to play. However, the Beavers knocked down four late freebies en route to a 60-53 win over the Ravens.
The Beavers finished the game shooting 34 percent from the field (21-of-61) and 25 percent from long range (6-of-24). AU finished with a 45-35 edge on the glass, but the difference came in the turnover battle. Anderson committed 22 miscues, 14 of which were steals by Bluffton, while the Beavers committed nine turnovers, one more than their season-low against Oberlin.
Leading the way for the visitors were seniors Stegmaier with 15 points and six rebounds and Daman who tallied 14 points and five boards. Fellow senior Alicia Amis filled up the stat sheet with six points, six rebounds, four assists and four steals. It was a great team effort by the Beavers as the bench outscored Anderson's reserves 23-5.
With the win, Bluffton improved to 4-11 (2-6 HCAC) while Anderson fell to 6-9 (3-5 HCAC). The Beavers continue conference action at Founders Hall on Wednesday, Jan. 18 against Manchester. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m.
