The series
Hanover leads the all-time series 5-3, which began during the 1997-98 season. Bluffton won two of the first three meetings, but the Panthers have won four of the last five, including both contests last season.
The coaches
Bluffton is led by first year head coach Cathy Bonner, while Hanover is led by third year head coach Molly Jones.
Season records
Bluffton is now 0-5 and suffered their first HCAC loss of the season on Wednesday night at home to Manchester. Hanover is now 3-3 overall and face their first HCAC opponent today. The Panthers are 1-1 at home, on the road and at a neutral site so far this season.
Last season
Hanover won both games against Bluffton last season, including a 71-64 victory here in Founders Hall on January 13. In that game, BC outrebounded Hanover 37-32 and forced 28 turnovers, but shot 33% from the floor.
In their second meeting, Bluffton scored a season-high 89 points but fell in overtime to the Panthers 92-89 in Indiana on February 3.
Both coming off home losses
Both these teams are coming off losses at home on Wednesday night in which they led at halftime. Bluffton took a 38-35 halftime lead over HCAC foe Manchester and led by five points with 13:55 left in the game, but an 18-5 scoring run by the visitors resulted in an 80-71 BC loss. Hanover, meanwhile, led Indiana Southeast 29-24 at the intermission but the visitors forced overtime and held the Panthers to a 3-16 performance from the floor in the extra session to take a 70-63 win.
The players
Bluffton has lost their top six scorers from last season’s squad, which finished 12-14 overall and advanced to the HCAC tournament semi-finals. The Beavers return just three letterwinners from last season, while Hanover has 10 returning players, including three starters.
BC junior Melissa James leads Bluffton with 10.6 points per game and is coming of a career-best night on Wednesday night when she scored 20 points and had six assists. Three other players also established career highs on Wednesday, including junior Lyndsey Robinson (17 pts.), junior Heather Demery (7 pts., 6 reb.), and sophomore Karen Harris (9 reb., 8 ast.).
Hanover is led by three returning starters, including senior Nicki Gittings, junior Tessa Wynn and junior Staci Joslin. Wynn was a second team All-HCAC selection last season and is averaging 19.0 points and 9.8 rebounds per game so far this season. Gittings (10.0 ppg) is also averaging in double figures for the Panthers.
HCAC rankings
Bluffton has done a good job of keeping opponents off the glass this season, as the Beavers are tied for the league lead in defensive rebounds (31.2 drpg). BC ranks fifth in the HCAC in 3-point shooting percentage (.308) and blocks (1.8 bpg)
Hanover leads the conference in field goal percentage (.422) and ranks second in scoring (71.0 ppg). The Panthers rank third in blocked shots (2.17 bpg), turnover margin (+2.50) and assist-to-turnover ratio (.73).
Around the HCAC
One other Heartland Conference game is on the schedule Saturday as Anderson travels to Mount St. Joseph. In non-league action, Franklin hosts Huntington, Manchester hosts Thomas More and Transylvania hosts Berea. In addition, Defiance is hosting the Lady Jacket Classic this weekend.
