By Martin Kluk, sports information intern
Stats: http://www.bluffton.edu/sports/womensbasketball/2012/02-04-wb.htm
The Bluffton University women snapped their two-game skid and pulled out a hard fought victory over Anderson University, 61-49, on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012. The Beavers improved to 8-13 (6-8 HCAC) and they took sole possession of sixth place in the conference standings, while Anderson slipped to 8-13 (5-9 HCAC).
Lauren Hutton (New Riegel), who posted her third career double-double, started the scoring with a stick-back 30 seconds in to give Bluffton the first points of the game. Their advantage grew to seven at the 12:45 mark when senior Rachel Daman (Defiance/Tinora) drilled two free throws to make it 13-6 Beavers.
The Ravens answered with a 14-6 run to grab their first lead of the game (20-19) on a hoop and harm by Ashley Wuestefeld with just over eight minutes to play in the half. The teams battled back and forth throughout the rest of the first period, including forcing eight ties, but a pair or free throw makes and a layup by Mikayla Coburn (McGuffey/Upper Scioto Valley) in the last minute and a half sent the Beavers into the locker room with a slim 32-30 advantage.
Anderson's Kate Barwick nailed a jumper 30 seconds into the second half to tie the game 32-32, but from that point on, it was all Beavers. A 14-2 jag by Bluffton put the home team on top 46-34 with just over 13 minutes to play. The Ravens tried to stay within striking distance, cutting the lead to 48-42 at the 10:35 mark, but that was as close as they could get.
A 9-0 spurt sparked by a trey from Daman and two Hutton layups put Bluffton up 57-42 and that sealed the deal. The Beavers coasted to a 61-49 victory, their sixth conference win in the last eight games.
Hutton led the way for the Beavers as she notched her third career double-double with 20 points and 10 boards while also handing out four assists. Daman had a strong 15-point performance as she shot extremely well, going 4-of-5 from the field, 3-of-4 from outside the arc and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Brittany Lewis (Springfield/Shawnee) chimed in with a game-high six dimes and Kylee Burkholder (West Unity/Hilltop) was productive off the bench, spelling Hutton with five points and four boards in 13 minutes.
Bluffton shot well from the field, hitting 24-of-52 (46.2 percent), compared to 22-of-51 (43.1 percent) for Anderson. The Beavers collected eight more off the glass (33-25) while also taking advantage of the free throw line. Bluffton finished an impressive 9-of-10 (90 percent) at the stripe, while the Ravens tallied only six attempts (3-of-6 for 50 percent). Anderson struggled from outside the arc, connecting on just 2-of-12 (16.7 percent) attempts.
The Beavers are back in action on Wednesday, Feb. 8, when they travel to Manchester College for a 7:30 p.m. tip.
