Grove Pulls Away From Ladies

By Sam Brauen Friday, January 29, 2010 12:23:18 PM

Sarah Stratton in the lane vs CG

Bluffton and Columbus Grove battled it out Thursday night in the Treasure Chest for three tight quarters.  But Grove pulled away in the fourth quarter and won the game 54-45. Grove’s inside game was too much to handle through the game but especially in the early going.

Grove post player Nikki Stechschulte scored 8 of the first 10 Bulldog points as Grove jumped out to a 10-2 lead. Bluffton battled back through baskets from Sarah Stratton and Molly Lengyel and chipped away at the lead, getting whittled down to 10-8. A late quarter basket gave Grove a 12-6 lead after one. Both teams erupted for 16 second quarter points. Bluffton employed their full court press forcing Bulldog turnovers and upping the game tempo. Mariah Welch got going in the second, scoring 6 of her 10 points. CG led 28-22 at the half.

Grove again started strong in the third, scoring the first 6 points and threatening to run away with the game before the Pirates revived themselves. Lydia Guagenti scored 8 third quarter points and assisted on two other scores as the Pirates athletically got back into it. Guagenti scored on an offensive board at the buzzer to cut the lead to 38-35. The fourth belonged to CG as they scored the first 8 points of the quarter and BHS couldn’t overcome it.

Lydia Guagenti took top scoring honors with 15 points and was joined in double figures by Mariah Welch’s 10. Sami Harrod scored 7 while Molly Lengyel scored 6 but grabbed a game high 13 rebounds. Sarah Stratton added 5 and freshman Anna Crisp scored 2. Bluffton is now 4-12 and 3-3 in the NWC. The girls have a week off before traveling to Crestview Thursday.