TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- For the second consecutive year in a row the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology women's basketball team upset an undefeated and nationally ranked Bluffton squad. The Fightin' Engineers upset 19th-ranked Bluffton University on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 55-46 inside of Hulbert Arena.
The Beavers and Fightin' Engineers traded baskets to start the game. At the 6:51 mark sophomore Ally Bromenschenkel hit a layup to tie the game at 6-6. However the 19th-ranked Beavers used a 7-0 over the next three minutes to grab a 13-6 lead. Rose-Hulman responded with a 10-2 run of their own to end the first quarter; the run was highlighted by a buzzer-beating layup from junior Alyzia Dilworth to end the quarter. Rose-Hulman led by one 16-15.
The second quarter remained tight as neither team could extend an advantage. A steal and a layup by Bluffton's TJ Mills with seven seconds remaining gave Bluffton some slight momentum heading into halftime. Both teams scored 13 points in the quarter and Rose-Hulman led 29-28 at intermission.
Rose-Hulman began to pull away from 19th-ranked Bluffton in the third and fourth quarters. Rose-Hulman's length and stingy defense limited the Beavers to just nine points in each period. RHIT tallied 13 points in each period in the second half. With 1:56 remaining in the game the Fightin' Engineers had built their largest lead of the game at nine points, 51-42. That margin would carry the last two minutes until the final horn sounded.
Ally Bromenschenkel recorded her second double-double of the season and finished with a game-high 21 points and 10 rebounds. Alyzia Dilworth added nine points, five assists, three rebounds, and three steals. Abbie Marshall chipped in seven points and five boards.
Rose-Hulman shot 46.7% (21-45) from the field and held Bluffton to just 30% (15-50) shooting from the floor. RHIT also shot 75% from the free throw line making 12 of 16 attempts. The Fightin' Engineers outrebounded the Beavers 34-27.
The win improves Rose-Hulman's record to 7-2 and the Figthin' Engineers remained a perfect 3-0 in Heartland Conference play. Bluffton suffered its first loss of the season, falling to 6-1 and 2-1 HCAC.
The women will be back in action Wednesday December 14 against Chicago. Tipoff will be at 7:30 p.m. inside of Hulbert Arena.
