By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School girls basketball team put on a furious rally in the fourth period but fell short 57-50 to visiting Riverdale in a non-conference contest on January 27.

The evenly-matched teams entered the game with identical 7-9 records.

The Pirates trailed 40-26 heading to the fourth period, but almost equaled their output over the first 24 minutes by scoring 24 markers in the final stanza.

Bluffton sophomore Blair Utendorf tallied all eight of her points in the fourth quarter, and junior Ayla Grandey netted six of her 18 in the final eight minutes. 

Gracie Warren also came off the bench to hit a triple and net all six of her markers in the fourth period comeback effort. The Pirates inched within five points late, but could get no closer.

Speedy Falcon freshman Marissa Bonham scored 23 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and made six steals to keep Bluffton at bay. 

“We didn’t go a good job containing Bonham, she got wherever she wanted on the court with little resistance,” said Bluffton head coach Adam Burris. “She’s very talented, but I feel we could have been a little better against her.

“We made a strong effort to come back and not give up, but moral victories don’t count on the win/loss record,” he noted. 

The Pirates fell to 7-10 with the defeat, while the Falcons improved to 8-9 after the win.

The Falcons led 16-12 after the first period as Bonham scored eight points. 

Bluffton went ice cold in the second period and made just one basket as they got outscored 12-2 to fall behind 24-14 at intermission.

“We were getting decent looks but just couldn’t put it in the hoop,” Burris recalled. 

Bonham poured in 11 points in the third quarter to keep the Falcons ahead by 14 after three quarters.

Bluffton junior post Ayla Grandey netted 12 of her 18 points in the second half. Macy Schaadt tallied all eight of her points following intermission.

Falcon Mariah Bonham contributed a dozen markers in support of her sister.  Marissa Bonham canned all four of her foul shots in the final period as Riverdale sank nine charity stripers down the stretch.

Marissa Bonham canned eight of 15 shots from the field, including one of two beyond the arc, and sank all six of her free throws.

Harleee Gonzales added nine points for the Falcons. 

The Falcons nailed 18 deuces and drilled three trifectas. Riverdale connected on 12 of 20 foul shots (60 percent) and overcame 15 turnovers. They shot only 34 percent from the field (21-62), including just three of 17 on triples (18 percent).

But the Falcons grabbed 13 offensive rebounds out of their 39 total caroms to get several second shots.

The Pirates sank 14 two-point goals and splashed four treys. Bluffton converted 10 of 15 free throws (67 percent).

“We have a tough week coming up against Spencerville and Liberty Center, so we need a good week of practice,” said Burris.

The Pirates (1-4 NWC) visit Spencerville (9-8, 1-4 NWC) Thursday, February 1. They then travel to Liberty Center for a Saturday afternoon game, Feb. 3.

Riverdale 57 (8-9)

Woodruff 1 3-8 5,
Mariah Bonham 5 1-2 12,
Marissa Bonham 8 6-6 23,
Gonzales 4 1-2 9,
Vent 2 1-2 5,
Shull 1 0-0 3.

Totals: 21-62/12-20/57. 3-pointers (3-17): Shull 1, M. Bonham 1, M. Bonham 1. 

Bluffton 50 (7-10)

Burkholder DNP,
Hobensack 0 0-0 0,
Cross 0 0-0 0,
Fleece 2 0-0 5,
Dearth 0 0-1 0,
Schweingruber 0 0-0 0,
Warren 2 1-2 6,
Schaadt 3 1-2 8,
Utendorf 2 4-4 8,
Bassett 2 1-2 5,
Grandey 7 3-4 18.

Totals: 14-4/10-15/50. 3-pointers: Grandey 1, Warren 1, Schaadt 1, Fleece 1.

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