By Cort Reynolds

SPENCERVILLE__In a battle for second place in the Northwest Conference, the visiting Bluffton High School girls basketball team was overcome late by Spencerville 35-33 on Thursday, January 29.

The Pirates had rallied to seize a 27-23 lead heading to the fourth quarter. But the Bearcats responded with a 12-6 fourth-period comeback to win by two.

Spencerville led 13-10 after the first period of play. The Bearcats led 19-16 at halftime. Bluffton then surged ahead behind an 11-4 third stanza.

Senior Blair Utendorf poured in all 11 Pirate points in the third quarter to shoot Bluffton into a four-point lead. But Bluffton went cold and was able to only muster two baskets and a pair of foul shots in the final period.

Utendorf finished with a game-high 14 points.

Sophomore Maelee Miller contributed seven markers, and senior Macy Schaadt added five.

Pirates Greta Myers and Gracie Warren each nailed one trifecta.

The Pirate girls dropped to 11-9 overall and 3-2 in the NWC after the road defeat.

Second-place league rival Spencerville improved to 12-6 overall and 5-1 in NWC play with the close home victory. Five different Bearcats scored in their fourth-period rally.

Sophomore Tatum Schwartz led the Bearcats with 10 points. Junior Jenna Wannemacher netted nine markers, and junior Briley Cook added eight.

Bluffton canned eight deuces and drained three triples. The Pirates converted eight of 16 free throws (50 percent).  

The Bearcats connected on 11 two-point goals and splashed two treys. Spencerville sank seven of 14 free throws (50 percent).

The Pirate girls host league powerhouse Columbus Grove (15-2, 5-0 NWC) next Thursday, February 5, in another key game for the conference standings.

Grove leads the Northwest Conference standings at 5-0, followed by Spencerville (5-1) and Crestview at 4-2. Bluffton is tied for fourth at 3-2 with Allen East. AE beat Lincolnview 37-26 on Thursday.