By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
(SPENCERVILLE) – A 12-0 third quarter burst saved Bluffton in a boys' league matchup at Spencerville. 

The Pirates started and ended the game with less scoring and energy than they hoped for but it was enough to grit out a 51-47 road win against the 1-10 Bearcats.  Luke Denecker scored 19 points and Jared Piercefield 18 as the top Pirate scorers.  Bluffton improved to 10-3 (3-1 in league play) with the win.

Keys to the Game

Bluffton blew open the game in the third quarter expanding a 26-25 lead to 38-25 in just over three minutes.  Denecker hit three pointers on two consecutive Pirate possessions while Piercefield scored in the lane and hit two free throws as well.  Baylor Garmatter added a tough layup after driving baseline in the jaunt.  On the defensive end, Mason Soper rejected three shots in the third quarter alone; he had five in the game.

Spencerville nabbed a 9-4 lead to open the game but Bluffton recovered to lead 14-13 going into the second.  Over the final two minutes of the quarter, Bluffton put up 10 straight points on back to back threes from Piercefield & Denecker followed by layups from Mason Soper & Baylor Garmatter.  The Pirates employed a full court trap that sparked the late quarter effort.  SHS turned the rock over five times in the game’s first eight minutes.  Piercefield had a big quarter with 7 points.

Spencerville enjoyed a terrific football season and brought the gridiron intensity to the basketball court Friday night. The hosts were whistled for six first quarter fouls and Bluffton had a parade to the free throw line in the second quarter. 

Unfortunately the Pirates only converted 4/10 from the line in the second quarter but still held a 21-18 halftime lead. Bluffton maintained the lead by using the press to force seven second quarter turnovers.  Baylor Garmatter was extremely active with 3 first half steals.

Piercefield connected on 5/6 from the line in the fourth quarter ensuring the Pirate victory. The Pirates shot a clean 4/4 from inside the arc in the final stanza.  Spencerville outscored Bluffton 16-13 over the final eight minutes but could not close the gap.

Individual Pirate Statistics

Luke Denecker – 19 points, 4/9 on 3s, 4 rebounds, 3 steals
Jared Piercefield – 18 points, 1/1 on 3s, 9/10 free throws, 4 rebounds
Mason Soper – 8 points, 1/4 on 3s, 3 rebounds, 4 blocks
Baylor Garmatter – 4 points, 3 steals, 1 rebound
Mickey Ault – 2 points, 1 rebound

Spencerville was led in scoring by Keegan Goecke with 16 points

Team Statistics
Bluffton
2FG 10/20 (50%)
3FG 6/17 (35%)
Total FG 16/37 (43%)
Free Throws 13/20 (65%)
Rebounds 14
Turnovers 13

Spencerville
2FG 12/24 (50%)
3FG 6/17 (35%)
Total FG 18/41 (44%)
Free Throws 5/6
Rebounds 17
Turnovers 19

What’s Next
Bluffton’s will host Patrick Henry on Tuesday, Jan. 22.  The game will be a triple header with the freshman game starting at 5 p.m. with the Junior Varsity and Varsity games to follow. Patrick Henry is 3-9 on the season and coming off a 73-37 loss to state ranked Archbold.