TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology women's basketball team celebrated the most accomplished graduating class in program history with a 71-41 victory over Manchester University on Senior Day at Hulbert Arena on Saturday afternoon.
Rose-Hulman honored its six seniors prior to their final home game, as the class improved to 89-18 in their playing careers. The Fightin' Engineer senior class of Abby Bromenschenkel, Ally Bromenschenkel, Debie Gedeon, Kayla Gerken, Taylor Graham and Jenna Queary have combined for three Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season championships, two HCAC Tournament championships and the first two NCAA Tournament appearances in program history over the last four seasons.
On Senior Day, the Bromenschenkel duo combined for 36 points, 27 rebounds and 10 assists. Ally Bromenschenkel led all scorers with 20 points on 9-14 from the field with 17 rebounds and four assists. Abby Bromenschenkel contributed 16 points, 10 rebounds and six assists to the performance.
Graham joined the double-figure scoring list with a season-high 15 points on 4-9 from the field and 6-6 on the free throw line. Queary added six points, six rebounds and three assists to the offensive performance.
Gedeon contributed five points and three rebounds, and Gerken pitched in with three points and three rebounds to round out the senior class. Caitlin Young came off the bench for four points, and Cassie Utley added two points for the Fightin' Engineers.
The offensive performance was more than enough, as a strong defensive effort bolstered the win. Rose-Hulman held Manchester to just 31% shooting for the game, outrebounded the Spartans 49-19, and held Manchester to seven points in the second quarter and nine in the third.
With Rose-Hulman already leading 33-21 at the half, the Fightin' Engineers put the game away with a strong third quarter performance. The Engineers shot 69% from the field in the third quarter and held Manchester to just 3-11 shooting.
Rose-Hulman completes the regular season with a 19-6 record and a 16-2 mark in the HCAC. The Fightin' Engineers are the No. 2 seed for next weekend's HCAC Tournament at Transylvania University. The Fightin' Engineers will face either Hanover or Bluffton on Friday Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. in semifinal action. The HCAC Tournament championship game, with the winner receiving an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament, takes place Saturday Feb. 23 at 5 p.m. at Transylvania.
