By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School girls basketball team stymied visiting non-conference foe Shawnee in the second half to post a 47-25 victory Tuesday, January 7.

The Bluffton defense held the Indians to just nine second-half points. The hosts outscored Shawnee 27-9 after intermission to win going away. 

Pirate senior post Ayla Grandey led all players with 17 points.

Bluffton improved to 8-4 overall after the decisive win. Shawnee dropped to 4-8 after the road defeat.

The Pirates led 14-5 after the opening quarter. Shawnee rallied with an 11-6 second period to pull within 20-16 at halftime. 

Bluffton stymied the Indians 14-6 in the third quarter to build a 34-22 cushion heading into the final period. The Pirates then dominated the fourth stanza 13-3 to win going away.

Grandey scored 17 points on eight baskets and 1-1 foul shooting. She netted 10 markers in the decisive third quarter.

Junior Blair Utendorf tallied eight of her 10 points in the first half on four field goals.

Freshman Maelee Miller added eight markers on four baskets. Macy Schaadt and Lainey Grandey each contributed four points.

No Indian scored more than nine points.

Bluffton connected on 22 deuces and sank no treys. The Pirates converted three of four free throws (75 percent).

Shawnee sank nine two-point goals and canned one triple. The Indians made good on four of six foul shots (67 percent). 

The Pirate girls (0-1 NWC) visit second-place league foe Crestview (9-3, 2-1 NWC) on Thursday evening.