By Cort Reynolds

COLUMBUS GROVE - The visiting Bluffton High School boys basketball team lost a seesaw 56-48 Northwest Conference battle to rival Columbus Grove on Friday, February 6.

Grove jumped ahead 17-6 after the opening period as Brady Basinger scored eight points and Trevon Baxter added seven.  

Bluffton turned the tables with a 12-5 second quarter behind 10 Brody Donley points to slice the CG lead to 22-18 at halftime.

Grove responded with a 15-12 third period to surge ahead 37-30 heading into the fourth period.  

CG eked out a 19-18 win in the final quarter to triumph by eight. The Bulldogs sank 10 of 16 from the foul line in the final period to stave off a Pirate rally.

The Pirates dropped to 7-11 overall and 0-6 in the NWC after the road defeat that ended a two-game win string away from home.

Columbus Grove improved to 12-5 overall and 3-2 in NWC play with the home win.

Bluffton freshman guard Donley pumped in 20 points with three triples and seven field goals.

Lane Ginther tallied 12 markers and Bean Ginther contributed 10. The Ginther duo combined for 11 points in the final period, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Bulldog lead.

Baxter led CG with 17 points, while Basinger tallied 16. Landon Best added a dozen markers.

The Pirates connected on 10 two-point goals and knocked down six triples. Bluffton converted 10 of 13 shots from the charity stripe (77 percent).  

CG canned 18 deuces and drilled three trifectas. Grove sank 11 of 22 foul shots (50 percent).

UP NEXT
Bluffton plays at Liberty Center (10-7) in a non-league bout Saturday, Feb. 7. WBL foe Elida (3-15) visits the Pirates on Tuesday, Feb. 10. The Bulldogs lost their first seven games, and have dropped eight of their last 10.