By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
Report on BHS girls’ vs. Grove game is at the bottom of this story
(BLUFFTON) - Bluffton’s boys basketball needed to down Columbus Grove to stay in the immediate hunt for the Northwest Conference championship. The Bulldogs were able to control the fourth quarter and earned a 49-43 victory to remain undefeated in league play.  Bluffton slipped to 3-2 in NWC games and 11-4 overall. 

Keys to the Game

The Pirates struggled to get a stop in the fourth quarter.  Columbus Grove scored or got to the free throw line on all but one fourth quarter possessions.  Bluffton twice got the deficit down to four points in the final eight minutes but could not get the stop needed.  After a Luke Denecker free throw cut the lead to four points, the visitors were able to milk the clock down from 3:04 to 1:17 before Bluffton got the ball back. 

A fun 13-13 first quarter couldn’t keep pace for the remainder of the game for either team.  Bluffton scored just 8 points in each of the middle two quarters and Grove built a 35-29 lead after three quarters.  An 8-0 run to end the half propelled Grove from a four point deficit to a four point advantage, one Bluffton never recovered from.

Bluffton was ice cold from long distance, making just 3/16 attempts.  Meanwhile, inside the arc, Bluffton sizzled making 16 of 22 attempts. 

Both teams cared for the ball with Bluffton turning it over 7 times and Grove just twice for the game.

Jared Piercefield led the team in scoring but also shot extremely well.  The junior connected on 5/7 two point field goals and 2/4 three pointers.  Luke Denecker added 14 points on 6/6 shooting inside the arc.  The junior sharpshooter was not able to land a three pointer in the game. 

Individual Pirate Statistics

Jared Piercefield - 16 points,  two 3s, 2 rebounds

Luke Denecker - 14 points, 6/6 on 2s, 3 rebounds

Baylor Garmatter - 7 points, 4 rebounds

Mason Soper - 4 points, team high 9 rebounds, 1 block

McCormick Ault - 2 points, 2 rebounds

Team Statistics

Bluffton 

2FG -16/22 (73%)

3FG - 3/16 (19%)

Total FG - 19/48 (40%)

Free Throws - 2/6 (33%)

Rebounds 21

Turnovers 7

Columbus Grove

2FG - 14/23 (61%)

3FG - 8/15 (53%)

Total FG - 22/38 (58%)

Free Throws - 6/12 (50%)

Rebounds 20

Turnovers 2 

Bluffton hosts McComb Tuesday night in a makeup game from early December. 

GIRLS’ GAME REPORT
(COLUMBUS GROVE) - Two unbeaten Northwest Conference teams collided Thursday night in Putnam County and Columbus Grove erupted for a decisive 56-38 victory to take control of the Northwest Conference title race. Averey Rumer was Bluffton’s top scorer with 13 points and Alivia Koenig added 12.  Grove’s Rylee Sybert was the game’s high scorer with 22 points and four 3s.

Keys to the Game

Columbus Grove’s full court pressure forced 19 Pirate turnovers which doomed the Pirates.  Bluffton had 7 turnovers in the first quarter alone.  The Bulldogs trapped off the initial inbounds pass and in the half court setting as well, creating havoc the Pirates could not solve. 

The hosts never trailed, taking a 14-6 lead after one quarter and growing it to 26-15 at the half. The Bulldogs were lethal from long distance, connecting on 7 of 15 attempts including at one made three pointer in each quarter. 

Koenig sunk a ‘3’ to bring BHS within 6 points in the third quarter but Grove ripped off the next 11 points for a 41-24 lead.  The spread would not drop back into single digits at any point after that point.

Rumer put up 6 fourth quarter points as Bluffton attempted to stay close.  The senior had a game high 7 rebounds and shot 7/13 from the field. 

Individual Statistics

Averey Rumer - 15 points, 7 rebounds

Alivia Koenig - 10; points, two 3s

Libby Schaadt - 10 points, 4/4 from the field, 4 rebounds

Katie Prater - 3 points, 4 rebounds

Team Statistics

Bluffton 

2FG - 13/21 (62%)

3FG - 4/16 (25%)

Total FG - 17/37 (46%)

Free Throws - 2/5 (40%)

Rebounds 16

Turnovers 19

Columbus Grove

2FG - 14/27 (52%)

3FG - 7/15 (47%)

Total FG - 21/42 (50%)

Free Throws - 5/6 (83%)

Rebounds 18

Turnovers 8

What’s Next

Bluffton travels to Riverdale Saturday.