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.