By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
(BLUFFTON) - For the current batch of Bluffton girls basketball seniors, each season has ended just shy of a Northwest Conference championship.
The girls took a huge step towards ending the drought with a thrilling 44-43 victory Thursday night over Spencerville. Senior Alivia Koenig played the role of hero, making two free throws with 1.4 seconds left to win it for Bluffton. Bluffton is now 11-3 and 5-0 in NWC play. Spencerville fell to 11-3 and 4-1.
Spencerville started strong, scoring the game’s first 8 points but Bluffton answered with a 15-2 run to take control. The Pirates led 23-14 at half and 34-23 after three quarters.
In the fourth, Spencerville used a full court press to work their way back into the game and eventually take a 43-42 lead with less than a minute left. Koenig drove into the lane for a potential game winning shot and was fouled. She sank the two free throws and a near capacity crowd exploded in cheers. The Pirates packed out the gym including the Varsity cheerleaders and pep band.
Game photos by Amy Mortimer : https://amymortimer.smugmug.com/BHS-Girls-Basketball-vs-Spencerville/
Individual Pirate Scoring
Alivia Koenig - 13 points
Averey Rumer - 10 points
Katie Prater - 9 points
Libby Schaadt - 7 points
Brinkley Garmatter - 3 points
Kayla White - 2 points
What’s Next
The Pirates travel to Pandora-Gilboa Saturday to take on the Rockets. Bluffton’s next conference game will be another stiff test at Columbus Grove next Thursday.
