Basketball Game Preview: Blackford Bruins vs. Eastbrook Panthers

Blackford is 2-8 against Eastbrook since January of 2017 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Friday. The Blackford Bruins will square off against the Eastbrook Panthers at 6:30 p.m.

Blackford is headed into Friday's match looking for a big change in momentum after dropping their sixth straight game on Friday. They were dealt a 51-17 loss at the hands of Frankton. For those keeping track at home, that's the biggest defeat the Bruins have suffered against the Eagles since January 18, 2018.

Blackford's loss came about despite a quality game from Raegan Ridgway, who posted five points along with six boards and three steals. The dominant performance gave Ridgway a new career-high in steals.

Meanwhile, Eastbrook had to endure a four-game losing streak, but that streak is no more. They managed a 36-32 win over Madison-Grant on Saturday.

Blackford better keep an eye on Mia Bustos. She was instrumental in Eastbrook's win, dropping a double-double on 15 points and 18 rebounds. Bustos has been hot for a while, having posted eight or more boards the last 17 times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Jazmine Plummer, who scored four points and five rebounds.

Blackford's defeat dropped their record down to 2-21. As for Eastbrook, their victory ended a three-game drought at home and bumped them up to 6-13.

Blackford came up short against Eastbrook when the teams last played back in February of 2024, falling 62-58. Can Blackford avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.