First Posted: 2/28/2015
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Despite a comeback, nationally ranked Transylvania University proved too much for the Bluffton University women’s team as the Beavers fell 61-48 in the semifinals of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament Saturday.
The loss ended Bluffton’s record-breaking season for wins with a mark of 18-9, two more wins than the 1995-96 squad that went 16-9.
A Kaitlyn Pennekamp basket made it a six-point game at 52-46 with 6:20 to play. The Pioneers then went 7-for-8 from the free throw stripe in the final three minutes as Bluffton was unable to make any more inroads offensively.
The Beavers were led by Kaycee Rowe with 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Also contributing for Bluffton on the offensive end were Kaitlyn Pennekamp and Ottoville graduate Rachel Beining, who both dropped in 11 for the Beavers. Macey Sheerer added eight points and five boards.
Men’s roundup
Bluffton 64, Mount St. Joseph 52
DEFIANCE — Thayne Recker had 27 points and 10 rebounds and Billy Taflinger scored 22 as Bluffton moved on to the championship game of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament where the Beavers will play host Defiance College in the championship game at 2 p.m. today.
Dayton 59, No. 22 VCU 55
RICHMOND, Va. — Jordan Sibert scored 19 points and Dayton (22-6, 12-4 Atlantic 10) held off Virginia Commonwealth (21-8, 11-5).
No. 6 Villanova 78, Xavier 66
CINCINNATI — Kris Jenkins hit back-to-back 3-pointers to start a late run and Villanova (27-2, 14-2 Big East) rallied to beat Xavier (18-12, 8-9) for its 10th straight victory.
Bowling Green 62, Miami (Ohio) 57
OXFORD — Zack Denny and Richaun Holmes combined to score 32 points as Bowling Green (19-8, 11-5 Mid-American Conference) collected a win at Miami (12-17, 7-9) for the first time in five years, 62-57 on Saturday.
Cincinnati 63, Tulane 47
NEW ORLEANS — Octavius Ellis netted a double-double, scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, as Cincinnati (20-9, 11-5 American Conference) took an early lead and held it to beat Tulane (14-14, 5-11).
Illinois-Chicago 61, Wright State 46
CHICAGO — Marc Brown scored 18 points as Illinois-Chicago (8-23, 4-12 Horizon League), despite poor shooting, scored 24 points at the foul line and defeated Wright State (11-19, 3-13).
Buffalo 71, Kent State 65
KENT — Shannon Evans scored 21 points and had six assists Saturday and Buffalo (19-9, 10-6 MAC) beat Kent State to tie the Golden Flashes (19-10, 10-6) for second place in Mid-American Conference East Division standings.
Jarryn Skeete and Lamonte Bearden scored 14 apiece for the Bulls.
Toledo 70, Ball St. 59
TOLEDO — J.D. Weatherspoon scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, Justin Drummond added 17 points and Toledo (19-10, 11-5 MAC) beat Ball State (7-20, 2-14).
Nathan Boothe scored 12 points and Julius Brown had seven assists for the Rockets , who entered the contest trailing first-place Central Michigan by a game in the MAC West Division standings.
Toledo led 16-9 on a 3-pointer by Stuckey Mosley and never trailed. Julius Brown hit back-to-back jumpers and the Rockets led 36-25 at halftime, shooting 50 percent from the floor to Ball State’s 29.4 percent. The Cardinals were 3 for 17 from 3-point range before intermission.
Ball State drew within five, 56-51, on a layup by Franko House, but Toledo pulled away on a 10-2 run and led 66-53 with 1:34 to go.
Bo Calhoun led Ball Statewith 30 points and House grabbed 10 rebounds.
