By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
(OTTAWA) - After eight wins in eight contests, Bluffton faced their stiffest test to date as they traveled to Ottawa-Glandorf.
The Titans proved their mettle, earning a 76-55 victory and leaving both teams with 8-1 records. Mason Soper scored 20 and Luke Denecker 18 for Bluffton. OG was led by Ben Westrick’s 23 points.
The Titans came into the contest with a 7-1 mark, the only blemish a one point loss at Archbold. (The Blue Streaks defeated OG in an OHSAA Regional game last season.)
More than that, OG averaged an eye popping 87.5 points per game topping 90 three times already this season in addition to a 102 point effort Friday night against Lima Bath. Deadly accurate three point shooting combined with the usual full court pressure have been the keys to Ottawa Glandorf’s season so far.
Keys to the Game
The Pirates held leading scorer Owen Heigel in check in the first half however the 6’7 Titan center Ben Westrick bulled his way to 21 points, including 19 in the game’s first 10 minutes. The Pirates had no answer initially for the lanky junior.
Mason Soper connected on a three pointer to give Bluffton a 12-11 lead with 2:37 left in the opening quarter however turnovers on 4 of Bluffton’s next 6 possessions propelled OG to a 10-2 run to end the quarter.
OG sophomore Brennan Blevins came off the bench and drilled three straight three pointers to ignite a 17 point advantage midway through the first quarter. Luke Denecker answered with a floater and a three pointer to cut the lead back to 12 with 2:13 left. Denecker made another ‘3’ with 35 seconds left in the half and Bluffton trailed 42-39 at the break.
After Baylor Garmatter opened the third quarter with a bucket, OG’s Heigel finally broke loose in the second half, pouring in seven points in the third quarter alone. A Heigel offensive board and putback pushed the lead to 19 midway through the third. Mason Soper scored 5 third quarter points for BHS, who trailed 60-41 heading into the fourth.
Soper scored 10 in the fourth quarter as Bluffton refused to let Ottawa blow the game open. The Titans did not relent on their full court pressure at any point in the game.
Individual Pirate Scoring
Mason Soper - 20 points, three 3s
Luke Denecker - 18 pts, four 3s
Jared Piercefield - 9 pts
Mickey Ault - 4 pts
Baylor Garmatter - 2 pts
Levi Hohenbrink - 2 pts
What’s Next
Bluffton travels to Wapakoneta Tuesday evening to take on another Western Buckeye League foe. The Redskins are 7-2 and coming off a 70-42 win over Liberty Benton.
