By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
The Lady Pirate basketball team persevered through a rugged affair Saturday afternoon and earned a hard fought 60-50 win over North Baltimore.

Senior Averey Rumer scored a game high 25 points to lead Bluffton.  Rumer made bank at the free throw line, connecting on 15 of 18 attempts for the game.  Alivia Koenig and Libby Schaadt each scored 12.  Bluffton is now 5-2 on the season and will host Paulding Thursday night in their next game.  

Keys to the Game
Both teams experimented with various defenses throughout the game.  North Baltimore rotated between man to man, 2-3 zone, 3-2 zone, half court trap and full court press at various times.  The Pirates countered by changing from man to man, using a full court press at times and a 2-3 zone at other times.  Bluffton only committed 9 turnovers, North Baltimore 14.

The Pirates led 17-15 after one quarter however an 8-0 run NB started late in the first quarter resulted in a 20-17 Tiger lead midway through the second quarter. Three free throws from Rumer and a three ball from Koenig pushed Bluffton back ahead and the Pirates maintained a 27-24 halftime advantage.

Libby Schaadt scored 6 points in an 8-0 Pirate run in the third quarter that staked Bluffton to a 39-29 lead with 2:50 remaining in the quarter. The Tigers were not deterred and reeled off 10 straight points of their own to knot the game at 39-39 minutes into the fourth.

With 4:01 remaining, Hagemeyer scored a layup to give NB a 46-45 lead.   Bluffton responded with an 11-1 run getting points from Rumer (7 in the run), Schaadt (2) and Koenig (2) to take a commanding 56-47 lead. 

The Pirates were absolutely terrific from the free throw line, making 25/32 attempts (78%). The Tigers were a measly 2/10 (20%) from the stripe.

North Baltimore was led in scoring by freshman Grace Hagemeyer with 17 points.  The 6’1” freshman ate up the Pirates for 11 first half points but was limited to just 6 in the second half.  Tiger senior Alivia Light was held to 7 points as both Katie Prater and Kayla White dedicated defensive attention to her.  Light is coming back from a knee injury, however she scored 24 points in the game prior. 

Bluffton won the rebounding battle 28-22 despite North Baltimore boasting a starting front court standing 6’1, 6’0 and 5’11 with a 6’1 player off the bench. 

Individual Pirate Statistics
Averey Rumer – 25 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 15/18 at the line
Libby Schaadt – 12 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals
Alivia Koenig – 12 points, two 3s
Katie Prater – 7 points, one 3, 2 rebounds, 1 assists, 1 steal
Kayla White – 4 points, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 assist
Brinkley Garmatter – 2 rebounds

Team Statistics
Bluffton 
2FG – 13/36 (36%)
3FG – 3/17 (18%)
Total FG – 16/53 (30%)
Free Throws – 25/32 (78%)
Rebounds – 28
Turnovers - 9

North Baltimore
2FG – 18/32 (56%)
3FG – 4/15 (27%)
Total FG – 22/47 (47%)
Free Throws – 2/10 (20%)
Rebounds - 22
Turnovers – 14

Coach’s Comment: “We worked hard for this one.  North Baltimore is a solid, tall team.  I was worried how we would play a little bit after last night’s emotional (boy’s team) win.  It’s been a fun weekend with our win Thursday at Crestview, last night’s boys win and then today’s contest.”  - Coach Eric Garmatter

What’s Next 
Bluffton will host Paulding Thursday night.  The Panthers are 1-4 overall and 0-2 in NWC play. Currently Bluffton is one of four undefeated teams in conference play with a 2-0 record (Columbus Grove, Spencerville, and Allen East the other three)