TERRE HAUTE, Ind. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology relied on a stellar defensive effort to top Bluffton University 45-37 in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference women's basketball action on Saturday afternoon at Hulbert Arena.

Rose-Hulman held Bluffton scoreless in the third quarter to earn a 26-20 deficit into a 26-26 tie after 30 minutes of action.  The Engineers then shot 55% from the field and 7-10 on the line in the fourth quarter to secure the eight-point win.

Hannah Woody led the Rose-Hulman offense with 11 points.  Taylor Graham added 10 points.  Abby Bromenschenkel pitched in with seven points and seven rebounds, Kayla Gerken had five points and nine rebounds, and Ally Bromenschenkel contributed four points and 13 rebounds to the effort.  Morgan Brown also scored our points off the bench for Rose-Hulman, and Debie Gedeon contributed six rebounds and two assists.

Tj Mills led the Bluffton offense with 15 points.  Kylie Brock added eight points on a pair of three-pointers for the Beavers.

Bluffton led 14-8 after the first quarter, which included a pair of three-pointers by Woody to keep Rose-Hulman within striking distance.  Rose-Hulman's defense completely changed the game in the second half, as Bluffton went 0-8 with a scoreless third quarter and were held to just 19% in the final 10 minutes.

Rose-Hulman improved to 15-6 and 12-2 in HCAC play with the victory, while Bluffton dropped to 7-14 and 5-9 in conference games.  The Fightin' Engineers travel to Franklin College on Wednesday night in another conference matchup.