By Keisha Holtsberry, sports information assistant

Stats: http://www.bluffton.edu/sports/womensbasketball/2012/11-30-wb.htm

The Bluffton University women's basketball team hosted The College of Mount St. Joseph on Wednesday, Nov. 30. The Beavers took a 33-26 lead in the first half, but they were outscored 47-35 in the second period, resulting in a 73-68 loss for the home team. Bluffton fell to 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the Heartland Conference, while The Mount improved to 1-5 overall and 1-0 in the HCAC.

Both teams came out ready for their first conference contest of the season. Bluffton took an early lead with a layin by senior Rachel Daman (Defiance/Tinora). Less than a minute later, MSJ tied up the game at five apiece. The Beavers responded with a 4-0 run over the next four minutes.

Mount St. Joseph took a 13-11 lead at the 12:57 mark thanks to an Alex Donald triple. For the next three minutes the Beavers fought hard for the lead and finally tied the game with two free throws from freshman Mikayla Coburn (McGuffey/Upper Scioto Valley). Less than a minute later the Lions pulled ahead again, but the Beavers retaliated with five points of their own.

A three-pointer by senior Alicia Amis (Woodstock/Mechanicsburg) put Bluffton back on top. The Beavers stepped up their game over the final 3:18 of the period and went on an 10-4 run for a 33-26 advantage at the break.

The Lions turned the tables in the second stanza and dominated the scoring from the outset. Mount St. Joseph took their first lead since early in the first half at the 15:42 mark. A jumper by Kylee Burkholder (West Unity/Hilltop) pulled the Beavers back within one point (43-42) before the Lions forged ahead again.

Junior Lauren Hutton (New Riegel) made it a one-point difference with a layup off a nice feed from senior Brittany Lewis (Springfield/Shawnee). Bluffton tied the game up at the 4:28 mark before the Lions took control with eight straight markers as MSJ picked up its first win of the season (73-68) in Founders Hall.

Amis and Burkholder led the Beavers with 13 points each. The 13 points were a career-high for Burkholder. Brittany Stegmaier (Garfield/Trinity) and Hutton both contributed with eight points apiece. Coburn led the Beavers with seven rebounds, while Burkholder picked up six caroms.

Bluffton hit 23-of-59 (39 percent) from the field, compared to 23-of-61 (37.7 percent) for the visitors. The Beavers struggled from behind the arc, making just 3-of-13 (23.1 percent), while MSJ made 7-of-19 (36.8 percent). The home team knocked down 19-of-27 (70.4 percent) at the line. The Pioneers made 20-of-31 (64.5 percent) at the charity stripe. Mount St. Joseph turned the ball over 21 times while only forcing 14 miscues. MSJ finished with a 45-37 advantage on the glass, including a 17-11 edge on the offensive end.

The Beavers welcome Franklin College to Bluffton on Saturday, Dec. 3, for a clash with the Grizzlies. The contest is slated for 2 p.m. in Founders Hall.