By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls basketball team succumbed to a second-half charge by visiting Western Buckeye League power Bath and lost 44-33 on Tuesday night, December 30.

The Pirate girls trailed 11-6 after the first quarter, but rallied to lead 21-20 at intermission. Bluffton out-pointed the Wildcats 15-9 in the second stanza as six Pirates scored.

But Bath turned the tables behind a 14-6 third quarter to seize a 34-27 lead. The visitors added a 10-6 fourth period by hitting six of 10 foul shots to win by 11.

The Wildcats outscored Bluffton 24-12 in the second half, limiting the hosts to just three baskets after intermission.

The Pirate girls dropped to 6-5 overall after the non-league defeat. 

WBL co-leader Bath improved to 8-2 with the road victory.

Junior guard Avery Hobensack drained two treys to lead the Pirates with 10 points. Senior Macy Schaadt tallied seven of her nine markers in the first half. Junior Greta Myers added seven points.

Junior Marlie Mason led Bath with 15 points, while senior Allyson Harnishfeger added 11 markers. Mason netted seven of her points in the momentum-changing third quarter.

Bluffton connected on nine two-point goals and drained three triples. The Pirate girls converted six of 13 free throw tries (46 percent).

Bath canned 12 two-pointers and drilled three trifectas. The Wildcats nailed 11 of 21 foul shots (52 percent).

Bluffton plays at local non-league rival Pandora-Gilboa (4-4) on Saturday, January 3. The Pirates then visit tough WBL foe Shawnee (7-2) on January 6.

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