By Cort Reynolds

DEFIANCE__The visiting Bluffton High School girls basketball team rallied in the second half but came up short 46-43 to Defiance in a non-conference contest on Monday, December 22.

The Pirate girls trailed 16-6 after the first quarter. After playing to a 13-13 second stanza, Bluffton remained 10 points behind the Bulldogs at intermission.

Bluffton outscored the hosts 13-8 in the third period to slice the deficit in half and inch within 37-32 heading to the final stanza.

Defiance made just five of 15 foul shots in the fourth quarter, but they were still able to stave off the final Bluffton rally.

The Pirate girls dropped to 6-3 overall after the non-league defeat. Defiance improved to 4-7 with the win.
Macy Schaadt led the Pirates with 11 points. Greta Myers tallied seven of her nine markers in the second half, including five in the third period Pirate comeback effort.

Junior guard Maelee Miller, Taylin Goldman and senior Blair Utendorf each netted six points. Gracie Warren added five markers.

Goldman tallied all six of her points in the second stanza, while Schaadt added five with a triple. Miller netted five of her points in the final period by hitting a deuce and a trey.

Bulldog senior guard Isabella Rowlison led Defiance with 15 points and three triples. Freshman Aliana Stantz added 13 markers.

Bluffton connected on 14 two-point goals and splashed two triples. The Pirate girls converted nine of 13 free throw tries (69 percent).

Defiance sank 12 two-pointers and drained five trifectas. The Bulldogs canned just seven of 21 foul shots (33 percent).

The Pirates host undefeated Putnam County League co-leader Miller City (9-0) on Saturday, Dec. 27 at noon. Bluffton then entertains WBL foe Bath (7-2) Dec. 30.

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