Grandey nets 20 points

By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School girls basketball team rode tough defense to a 45-26 win over visiting non-conference foe Van Buren Tuesday, December 17.

The Pirates led 13-6 after the opening quarter. The hosts stymied the Black Knights in the second stanza, holding them to just one field on a three-pointer. Bluffton held a 22-9 edge at halftime. 

VB responded with a 12-6 third period to edge within 28-21 heading to the final quarter. But the Pirates poured in 17 fourth quarter points to lead a late surge as they pulled away to win by 19.

Bluffton senior Ayla Grandey netted eight of her game-high 20 points in the fourth period to lead all players.

Macy Schaadt tallied six of her 10 markers in the final quarter to support Grandey.

Bluffton improved to 5-3 overall after the convincing win.

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Van Buren fell to 2-6 with the defeat.

Senior post Grandey connected on seven baskets, including a pair of trifectas, and sank four of five free throws.

Maelee Miller netted six of her eight points for Bluffton in the opening stanza.  

Brooklynn Wilkin led VB with 12 points. No other Knight scored more than five.

The Pirates sank 14 two-point goals and drained three triples. They connected on eight of 14 tries from the charity stripe (57 percent).

VB connected on eight two-pointers and splashed three treys. The Black Knights converted one of their two free throws (50 percent).

The Pirate girls play at WBL foe Kenton Saturday, Dec. 21. The JV game tips off at 11 a.m.

1 2 3 4 F

Blf 13 9 6 17 45

VB 6 3 12 5 26