lead to three with a ….

lead to three with a steal and score. But the Pirates couldn’t extend the lead any farther and Zimmerman finally ended the Columbus drought with a 3-pointer from the top of the key. She followed with a mid-range jumper that put the visitors back on top 23-21.

James sank her last long ball at the 7:12 mark to put Gilman back on top, but the Dons got offensive putbacks from Emmalee Jicinsky and Raella Schueller to go up 27-24. Schmitt scored for the Pirates, then Dietzler got her only basket of the night off a baseline inbound play to give Gilman a 28-27 lead with 4:20 to go.

Grunseth’s offensive rebound produced a three-point opportunity with 2:42. The free throw missed but Gilman still led by three.

Zimmerman missed a couple of 3s and Columbus Catholic had to foul four times to get Gilman into the bonus, but it paid off when the Pirates missed two front ends.

Columbus Catholic got out to an 8-2 lead, which Gilman cut to 8-7 on a James 3 and later to 16-14 on two Weir free throws with 37 seconds left in the half.

Weir was held to eight points, Schmitt scored four and Grunseth was held to just two. Weir had 11 rebounds, while Schmitt and Grunseth had five apiece. Weir blocked five shots. Columbus outrebounded the Pirates 29-27. Gilman forced 18 turnovers. Grunseth and James each had three steals. Schmitt had two assists.

Zimmerman scored 14 and hit four 3s to lead Columbus Catholic, who also beat Gilman 36-29 on Jan. 18.