YouTube video of the game is HERE.

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School boys basketball team lost a 76-74 overtime barnburner to Spencerville in a battle of the last two Northwest Conference unbeatens on February 2.

Bearcat Carter Sudhoff sank a basket in the final seconds to break a tie and give the visitors a dramatic victory that vaulted them into first place in the league standings. Sudhoff scored all 16 of his points in the second half.

The Pirates had their 12-game win streak broken with the defeat.

Bluffton fell to 14-2 and 5-1 in the NWC with the heartbreaking loss that dropped them to second place in the league standings.

The Bearcats improved to 12-4 and 5-0 in the NWC after the close victory.

The Pirates trailed 20-18 after the first period despite eight points and two treys by Marek Donaldson. But Bluffton sank five triples in a 25-18 second stanza to take a 43-38 lead at intermission. 

Yet Spencerville bounced back with a 21-14 third quarter to forge back in front, 59-57. The Pirates tied it 70-70 at the end of regulation as Wade Ginther scored nine big fourth period points. 

Sudhoff scored eight of his 16 points in the fourth period.

In overtime, senior Evan Osting hit four foul shots to offset baskets by Donaldson and Wade Ginther. The Bearcats took the extra session 6-4 after the Sudhoff game-winner.

In his first game back from injury, Donaldson led the Pirates with 18 points and four triples. Ginther and southpaw Sommers tallied 16 points apiece.

Kerry Wright chipped in with nine points. John-Paul Yoder scored six points, while Brody Sommers tallied all six of his points in the second stanza.

Spencerville sophomore Owen Sensabaugh poured in a game-high 24 points. He tallied eight points in each of the first three periods. 

Bearcat freshman Will Sensabaugh contributed 16 points.

Bluffton connected on 22 two-point goals and drained eight triples in the game. The Pirates converted six of eight shots from the free throw line (75 percent).

Spencerville canned 19 two-pointers, and drained seven triples. The Bearcats converted 17 of 27 tries from the charity stripe (63 percent). 

Bluffton (5-1) is now second in the Northwest Conference standings, followed by Allen East (4-1) and Crestview (3-2).  

Bluffton is 6-2 at home this season, and 8-0 on the road.

The challenging weekend continues when the Pirates host tough local non-league rival Pandora-Gilboa (13-2) Saturday night. 

P-G knocked off league foe Liberty-Benton Friday in a battle for first in the Blanchard Valley Conference, 68-56.

Bluffton 74 (14-2, 5-1 NWC)

Donaldson 6 2-2 18,
B. Ginther 0 0-0 0,
W. Ginther 6 4-6 16,
Blk. Sommers 7 0-0 16,
Bro. Sommers 3 0-0 6,
Boblitt 1 0-0 3, Hilty 0 0-0 0,
Worcester 0 0-0 0,
Ker. Wright 4 0-0 9,
Yoder 3 0-0 6,
Hohenbrink DNP,
Ka. Wright DNP.

Totals: 22-8/6-8/74. 3-pointers: Blk. Sommers , Boblitt 1, Worcester 1, B. Ginther 1. 

S’ville 76 (12-4, 5-0 NWC)

W. Sensabaugh 5 4-5 16,
Osting 1 5-7 7,
Smith 2 0-0 5,
O. Sensabaugh 7 7-11 24,
Sudhoff 8 0-2 16,
Orr 3 1-2 8.

Totals: 19-7/17-27/76. 3-pointers: O. Sensabaugh 3, W. Sensabaugh 2, Smith 1, Orr 1.

SCOREBOARD