November 19, 2016
By: Colton Steiner, sports information assistant

ERIE, Penn. - The Bluffton University women's basketball team faced tournament host Penn State-Behrend to close out their tip-off weekend. The Beavers improved to 2-0 as they defeated the Lions, 73-63. Penn State-Behrend drops to 0-2 after a pair of losses to Heartland Conference members Defiance College and Bluffton.

Bluffton jumped out to a 19-9 lead after MACEY SHEERER (Bucyrus) rolled off nine quick points in the first quarter. ASHLEY SALYER (Marion/River Valley) converted an old-fashioned three-point play to give the Beavers a 22-13 advantage at the end of the opening period.

With 3:05 left to go in the half, Sheerer pushed the spread to 13 with a layup which made the score 35-22. After a three-pointer by the Lions, KAYCEE ROWE (Harrod/Allen East) got to the rack as the Beavers went into the break with a 37-27 lead.

At the 2:24 mark in the third quarter, Bluffton extended its lead to 14 after ABIGAIL O'DONNELL (Arcanum) dialed long distance and Kaycee Rowe hit a mid-range jumper to make the score 56-42. Penn State-Behrend finished the quarter on a 6-1 run which cut the gap to 57-48 with one period remaining.

The Beavers scored the first six points in the final quarter as Macey Sheerer and TJ MILLS (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne) each hit a pair of free throws and RACHEL BEINING (Ottoville) made a layup. The Lions were able to cut Bluffton's lead down to nine in the final seconds, but a Mills free throw made the final score 73-63.

Leading the way for the Beavers was Kaycee Rowe who had a game-high 18 points on 8-of-12 from the field to go along with seven boards. Macey Sheerer added 15 points for Bluffton and Abigail O'Donnell was one rebound away from a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Beining and Mills added 13 and 11 points, respectively. Mills and Rowe were both named to the Behrend All-Tournament Team for their efforts over the weekend.

The Beavers won the shooting battle as they went 26-of-63 (41.3 percent) from the floor, while the Lions only hit 23-of-59 (39 percent). Penn State-Behrend outrebounded Bluffton, 39-38, but coughed the ball up 21 times while the Beavers only committed 13 turnovers.

Bluffton will travel to Heidelberg on Tuesday, Nov. 22, to face the Student Princes at 7:30 p.m., looking to continue their winning ways.

-BEAVERS-