By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls basketball team lost a close 47-40 battle to visiting Northwest Conference foe Lincolnview Thursday evening.

The Lancers outscored the Pirates 13-5 in the fourth period to pull off the road victory.

The tight game was tied 11-11 after the first period. Bluffton pulled ahead 25-21 at intermission as Pirate sophomore Blair Utendorf poured in 10 second stanza points.

The Lancer girls won the third period 13-10 to inch within 35-34 heading to the final period.

Keira Breese tallied seven of her game-high 17 points in the final period to lead the Lincolnview offense.  Bluffton was limited to just one basket in the fourth quarter, a triple by Ayla Grandey.

The Pirates fell to 7-9 overall and 1-4 in NWC play with the defeat. Meanwhile, the Lancers improved to 9-7 and 4-1 in the NWC after the win. 

Utendorf tallied a season-high 14 points to tie Pirate post Grandey (14) for team scoring honors. Lauren Bassett and Ashley Fleece each netted four points.

Emerson Walker tallied 14 markers for the Lancers. Six of her clutch points came in the decisive fourth period run. Addysen Stevens added seven points.

Lincolnview outscored the Pirates 26-15 in the second half.

The Pirates sank 14 two-point goals and nailed one trey. But the hosts converted just nine of 21 free throws (43 percent).

The Lancers nailed 15 deuces and drained two trifectas. The visitors connected on 11 of 20 foul shots (55 percent).

Bluffton entertains Riverdale (6-9) Saturday.

L’view 47 (9-7, 3-1 NWC)

Price 2 1-2 5,
Hammons 1 0-0 2,
K. Breese 6 4-4 17,
Walker 5 4-8 14,
Stevens 2 2-4 7,
Byrne 1 0-0 2.

Totals: 15-2/11-20/47. 3-pointers:  Breese 1, Stevens 1.

Bluffton 40 (7-9, 1-4 NWC)

Burkholder 0,
Hobensack 0 0-0 0,
Cross 0 0-0 0,
Fleece 2 0-2 4,
Dearth 0 0-0 0,
Schweingruber 0 0-0 0,
Warren 1 0-5 2,
Schaadt 1 0-1 2,
Utendorf 4 6-8 14,
Bassett 2 0-0 4,
Grandey 5 3-5 14.

Totals: 14-1/9-21/40. 3-pointers: Grandey 1.

SCOREBOARD