By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - Host Bluffton tipped off girls basketball Northwest Conference play with a hard-fought 50-46 win over Delphos Jefferson Thursday night.

Click here for more Marvin Foster game photos.

The Lady Pirates improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the NWC with their second straight victory. Meanwhile, DJ fell to 1-2 and 0-1 in the league with the defeat.

The victors led 10-5 after one period of play but DJ inched within 19-17 at intermission. The game was close throughout as the Pirate girls held a 30-27 edge after three quarters.

Bluffton outscored Jefferson 20-19 in a high-scoring fourth stanza to pull out the tight contest.

Bluffton was paced by senior Libby Schaadt's 20-point outing. Senior Kayla White netted 14 points on two treys and eight foul shots. Sophomore Kylie Stackhouse added nine markers.

Senior Addy Stewart led Jefferson with 17 points while sophomore Josie McGue added 14 points.

The Bluffton girls drained 14 baskets, including three goals from three-point range. The Pirates converted 19 of 27 from the charity stripe (70 percent).

The Lady Wildcats sank 13 field goals and four three-point basket. DJ converted 16 of 24 at the foul line (67 percent). 

 
DJ 46 (1-2, 0-1 NWC)
Buzard 0 1-2 1, Stewart 6 2-4 17, Lindeman 1 3-4 5, Deuel 1 3-4 5, McGue 5 3-4 14, Bridges 0 3-4 3, Brinkman 0 1-2 1.
Totals: 13/16-24/46. 3-pointers: Stewart 3, McGue 1.

Bluffton 50 (3-1, 1-0 NWC)
Bischoff 0, B. Garmatter 0 2-2 2, L. Garmatter 1 0-0 2, White 2 8-11 14, Mittendorf 0, Stackhouse 3 3-5 9, Monday 1 0-2 3, Schaadt 7 6-9 20.
Totals: 14/19-27/50. 3-pointers: White 2, Monday 1.
 
    1    2    3    4    F
DJ    5    12    10    19    46    
Bluf    10     9    11    20    50

Bluffton (2-1 home) hosts perennial power Ottoville (3-1) in a non-league contest Saturday. The junior varsity game tips off at noon.