BLUFFTON, Ohio - Sophomore Abbie Marshall tied a career-high with 16 points, but the Beavers of Bluffton University used 37 first half points to defeat Rose-Hulman 58-46 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference women's basketball action on Saturday.
Along with Marshall, sophomore Josie Schmidt, added eight points, six rebounds, and two blocks for the Fightin' Engineers. Junior Carrie Morris chipped in six points and four rebounds, while senior Gracie Gibbs and sophomore Kristen Belyea each scored five points.
Rose-Hulman led 14-13 at the 10:48 mark of the first half, but Bluffton scored 12 consecutive points to take a 25-14 advantage. The Engineers clawed back to within five points (27-22), but could get no closer.
As a team, Rose-Hulman shot 41.3 percent (19-41) from the field compared to 35.1 percent (20-57) for Bluffton. The Engineers converted on 7-12 free throw attempts while the Beavers made 14-23 from the charity stripe.
Bluffton was led by thye guard tandem of Kaitlyn Pennekamp and Taylor Whitaker who scored 17 and 16 points, respectively.
With the loss, Rose-Hulman falls to 6-5 on the season including a 2-2 mark in HCAC play. The Engineers will attempt to return to winning ways Wednesday, Jan. 7, when the Earlham Quakers come to Terre Haute. The game marks the first of three within the friendly confines of Hulbert Arena. The Engineers have had just a single home game this season, against Transylvania on Dec. 6.
