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GAME NOTES
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology women's basketball team welcomes Bluffton University to Hulbert Arena on Saturday, Feb. 14, as the Fightin' Engineers continue their quest for a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) Tournament berth. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Rose-Hulman (12-10, 8-7 HCAC) comes into the contest riding a wave of emotion and also a two-game winning streak. The Engineers knocked off Manchester 63-31 last Saturday and defeated rival Hanover 70-65 for the first time since the 2007-08 season on Wednesday. In the victory over Hanover, junior Cassidy Cain scored 10 points and dished out three assists. Cain led a balanced scoring effort as seven Engineers finished with at least seven points. Junior Josie Schmidt tied her career high in rebounds with 11.
Senior Gracie Gibbs leads the team offensively averaging 8.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Sophomore Abbie Marshall is second on the team in both categories, averaging 7.8 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Taylor Whitaker (14.1), Macey Sheerer (11.7), and Kaitlyn Pennekamp (11.0) account for 51 percent of Bluffton's scoring.
In the team's last meeting, Rose-Hulman dropped a 58-46 decision at Bluffton on Jan. 3. Abbie Marshall led the Engineers by tying her career high with 16 points. The Bluffton duo of Kaitlyn Pennekamp and Taylor Whitaker combined for 33 points.
As of Feb. 8, Rose-Hulman ranks 24th in the nation in scoring defense allowing opponents 51.1 points per game.
As of Feb. 11, the Engineers lead the conference in scoring defense (51.8) and field goal percentage defense (.338).
Bluffton leads the all-time series 9-8. The Beavers have won the last three meetings. Rose-Hulman last won a 60-57 decision at home during the 2013-14 season.
The Engineers are currently sitting in a tied for fifth place in the HCAC. With the top six teams qualifying for the HCAC Tournament, Rose-Hulman controls its own destiny with three games remaining.
