By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls basketball team fell behind big early and lost 52-41 to visiting non-league rival Bath Tuesday, February 6.

The Pirates trailed 14-2 after a cold-shooting first quarter. 

Bath’s Anne Oliver tallied 10 second-period points to shoot the visitors to a commanding 31-11 lead at halftime. 

Pirate junior Ayla Grandey netted nine of Bluffton’s 15 third quarter points as they trailed 48-26 heading to the final stanza.  

Grandey tallied nine more points as Bluffton won the fourth quarter, 15-4. But the rally ultimately came up short by 11.

The Pirates fell to 7-13 with their fifth loss in a row. Meanwhile, the Wildcat girls improved to 14-6 after the victory.

Grandey led Bluffton with 23 points and six rebounds. She scored 18 of her points in the second half. The junior post sank 10 field goals, including two triples.

Macy Schaadt and Vanessa Cross each contributed five markers and one trey. 

Oliver led Bath with 21 points, five assists and three steals. Claire Foust tallied 10 points and Kelsie Carlson added eight.

The Pirates canned 14 two-point goals and sank four treys. Bluffton converted just one free throw in three tries (33 percent).

Bath nailed 13 deuces and drained seven trifectas. The Wildcats converted five of eight foul shots (63 percent).

Bluffton won the second half, 30-21.

Bluffton (1-5 NWC) resumes league play at home vs. Columbus Grove (15-4, 5-1 NWC) Thursday, February 8.

“Grove has a great player in (Lauren) Auchmuty,” said Pirate head coach Adam Burris “If we fight like we did against Liberty Center, then I would be happy with that.”
 

Bath 52 (14-6)

Clark 1 0-0 3,
Mason 1 1-2 3,
E. Foust 1 1-2 4,
C. Faust 4 2-3 10,
Oliver 9 1-1 21,
Carlson 3 0-0 8,
McDermott 1 0-0 3.

Totals: 13-7/5-8/52. 3-pointers: Carlson 2, Oliver 2, Clak 1, Foust 1, McDermott 1.

Bluffton 41 (7-13)

Burkholder DNP,
Hobensack DNP,
Cross 2 0-0 5,
Fleece 2 0-0 4,
Dearth 0 0-0 0,
Schweingruber 0 0-0 0,
Warren 0 0-0 0,
Schaadt 2 0-2 5,
Utendorf 2 0-0 4,
Bassett 0 0-0 0,
Grandey 10 1-1 23.

Totals: 14-4/1-3/41. 3-pointers: Grandey 2, Cross 1, Schaadt 1.

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