By Cort Reynolds
HARROD - Visiting Bluffton used a big second half to defeat local rival Allen East 49-30 in a Northwest Conference girls basketball contest on an icy night last Thursday.
Bluffton led 12-6 after one period, yet upset-minded host AE rallied to take a 17-16 edge at halftime. But then the Lady Pirates outscored the Mustangs 33-13 after intermission to win going away.
Bluffton stymied AE 17-6 in the third period to seize a 10-point lead, then salted it away with a 16-7 fourth quarter.
The win upped the Lady Pirate record to 13-6 overall, and they finished 5-3 in the NWC to currently stand third in the nine-team league standings.
AE dropped to 4-13 and seventh in the NWC at 1-6 with the defeat.
Bluffton sophomore Kylie Monday led the team with 16 points as she drained both Pirate trifectas. Senior post Libby Schaadt contributed 13 markers.
AE senior post Tori Newland surpassed the 1,000-point barrier by tallying a game-high 22 points. She netted all 13 of her team's second-half points.
But the rest of the Mustangs combined for just eight points, none after intermission.
The Bluffton girls canned 20 baskets, including 18 two-pointers and two from three-point range. The Pirate girls converted
seven of 15 from the charity stripe (47 percent).
The Lady Mustangs sank a dozen field goals, all from inside the three-point line. AE made no triples and converted six of eight from the foul line (75 percent), all by Newland.
Bluffton committed 19 turnovers, but AE turned the ball over a costly 29 times.
AE 30 (4-13, 1-6 NWC)
Newland 8 6-8 22, Brinkman 1 0-0 2, Truex 0, Tobe 2 0-0 4, Thaxton 0, Richardson 1 0-0 2.
Totals: 12/6-8/30. 3-pointers: none.
Bluffton 49 (13-6, 5-3 NWC)
Bischoff 0, B. Garmatter 0, L. Garmatter 2 0-0 4, White 3 4-5 10, Stackhouse 2 0-0 4, Monday 7 0-1 16, Busch 0, Scoles 0 2-6 2, Schaadt 6 1-3 13.
Totals: 20/7-15/49. 3-pointers: Monday 2.
1 2 3 4 F
AE 6 11 6 7 30
Bluf 12 4 17 16 49
Big 4th period lifts Pirate gals over Wildcats
BLUFFTON - Bluffton hosted tough Miller City Saturday afternoon in its home finale, and the Pirate girls rallied late to post a 53-49 victory that sent their three seniors out in style.
The Lady Pirates trailed 43-33 heading to the fourth period, but mustered a decisive comeback down the homestretch. Bluffton outscored the Wildcats 20-6 over the final eight minutes to pull off the hard-fought, non-league win.
Pirate senior guard Kayla White netted eight of her season-high 15 points in the pivotal fourth stanza to lead the rally. Senior post Libby Schaadt added 10 points.
The visiting Lady Wildcats led 19-15 after one period, and they extended the margin to 30-20 by halftime. But after a 13-13 third quarter, the Pirate defense allowed MC just one field goal in the fourth period while pouring in 20 points to spearhead the comeback.
Pirate sophomore guard Haelynn Bischoff also contributed five big points in the final stanza.
Natalie Koenig led MC with 16 points, while teammate Abi Lammers added 11 markers.
Bluffton improved to 14-6 with the big victory, while the Wildcat girls fell to 12-8 with the difficult defeat.
The Lady Pirates canned 21 baskets, including 18 deuces and three triples. They converted eight of 13 free throws (62 percent).
MC connected on 18 baskets, sinking 13 two-pointers and five treys. They canned eight of 14 foul shots (57 percent).
The Pirate girls made just eight turnovers, while MC was guilty of 15 errors. Bluffton senior guard Brinkley Garmatter also scored four points and won her final home game.
The Bluffton girls finished their home schedule with a fine 10-2 mark. Their only losses were to Cory-Rawson in the opener, and to NWC leader Columbus Grove.
MC 49 (12-8)
Lammers 5 1-4 11, Teders 2 0-0 4, C. Hermiller 1 2-2 4, Koenig 5 5-8 16, L. Hermiller 2 0-0 6, Reyna 2 0-0 6, Otto 1 0-0 2.
Totals: 18/8-14/49. 3-pointers: Reyna 2, L. Hermiller 2, Koenig 1.
Bluffton 53 (14-6)
Bischoff 2 0-0 5, B. Garmatter 2 0-0 4, L. Garmatter 2 4-7 8, White 6 2-4 15, Stackhouse 2 0-0 4, Monday 3 0-0 7, Schaadt 4 2-2 10.
Totals: 21/8-13/53. 3-pointers: Monday 1, White 1, Bischoff 1.
1 2 3 4 F
MC 19 11 13 6 49
Bluf 15 5 13 20 53
The Lady Pirates close the regular season with a pair of non-league road games this week. They play at Van Buren (10-8) Tuesday, February 11 and then visit Lima Central Catholic (10-9) Thursday, Feb. 13.
