The Bluffton University women’s basketball team (4-17, 1-9 HCAC) dropped two Heartland Conference contests last week. Franklin College gave the Beavers their first loss of the week, 69-41 on Feb. 2. Bluffton then bounced back to take Transylvania into overtime on Feb. 5, but lost the contest 63-50. The Beavers will travel to Mount St. Joseph on Feb. 9 (7:30 start) and will host Anderson University in Founders Hall on Feb. 12 (3 p.m. tip off).
Bluffton University 41, Franklin College 69
The Bluffton University women’s basketball team (4-16, 1-8 HCAC) was defeated on the road by Franklin College (15-5, 6-3 HCAC) 69-41 on Feb. 2.
The Grizzlies jumped out to the early lead in the first half only to find Bluffton come back within two points (13-11) with eight minutes left in the period. After the Beavers cut Franklin’s lead down, the Grizzlies went on an 8-0 run to open up the game. At halftime Franklin would lead the contest by 13 points, 30-17.
Bluffton shot better in the second half (32 percent) but could not hold off the Grizzly attack. Franklin would lead the game by around 20 points for much the entire period. With seven minutes left Franklin went on a 10-0 run to extend their lead even more and take the win, 69-41.
Freshman Ashleigh Stallkamp (Paulding/Paulding) led Bluffton with 10 points on the night. Sophomore Tanya Rickenberg (Paulding/Paulding) posted nine points and a team high eight rebounds. Junior Karin Schaller (Jenera/Arlington) pulled down eight boards and two blocks.
Franklin College shot 40 percent (27-of-67) for the contest compared to Bluffton’s 30 percent (15-of-50). The Beavers led on the boards with 42 rebounds to Franklin’s 38.
Bluffton University 50, Transylvania University 63
The Bluffton University women’s basketball team (4-17, 1-9 HCAC) was defeated in overtime 63-50 by Transylvania University (18-2, 9-1 HCAC) in Founder’s Hall on Feb. 5.
Leading the Beavers on the afternoon was freshman Ashleigh Stallkamp (Paulding/Paulding) with 23 points, six rebounds and three steals (team high). Sophomore Tanya Rickenberg (Paulding/Paulding) contributed 11 points, six rebounds and three assists. Junior Karin Schaller (Jenera/Arlington) led Bluffton with 12 rebounds. Schaller also posted eight points and two blocks.
The first half of play saw a defense showdown between the Beavers and Pioneers. Bluffton scored the first eight points of the game, and held Transylvania scoreless until the 12 minute mark, when a Meredith Plant jumper would put the Pioneers on the board. Scrappy defense by both teams for would give the Beavers a three point halftime lead, 18-15. Transylvania shot 20 percent in the first half to Bluffton’s 27 percent.
Offense played a key role for both teams in the second half. The Pioneers would take their first lead of the game 22-20 at the 15 minute mark. Bluffton battled back and led by as many as five points with four minutes left in the contest. Missed shots by the Beavers and key rebounds by Transylvania would send the game into overtime at 46 all. Transylvania scored the first two points in the overtime and never looked back taking the contest by a final score of 63-50. Bluffton was outscored 17-4 in the overtime period.
Bluffton shot 29 percent from the field for the game, compared to the Pioneers 35 percent. The Beavers would win the battle of the boards, pulling down 44 rebounds while Transylvania notched 43 rebounds
Leading the Beavers on the season
HCAC team statistics
Bluffton currently leads the HCAC in blocked shots (104 total) with a 4.95 average per game. The team ranks second in offensive rebounds with 321 total and third in defensive rebounds with 523 on the year. The Beavers hold the fifth spot in the conference in steals with 174 total (8.29 per game).
Individual statistical leaders
Ashleigh Stallkamp leads Bluffton and ranks seventh in the Heartland Conference in scoring with 298 total points (14.2 points per game). Stallkamp also leads the Beavers in steals with 46 (sixth in HCAC) and rebounds with 124 total (14th HCAC). Tanya Rickenberg contributes 244 points on the year (13th in HCAC) and leads the Beavers in assists with 50 (13th in HCAC). Rickenberg has accumulated a .412 field goal percentage to top the team (12th in HCAC) and contributes a .708 free throw average (10th in HCAC). Karin Schaller leads Bluffton and the HCAC in blocked shots per game with 62 total and ranks fifth in NCAA Division III. Schaller also ranks second on the team in rebounds with 121 boards (14th in HCAC).
