By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - Host Bluffton methodically took down local rival Allen East 62-41 to win a Northwest Conference boys basketball matchup Friday night.

The Pirates improved to 15-4 overall and 5-2 in the NWC with the win. Meanwhile, slumping AE fell to 5-14 and 0-7 in the NWC with the defeat.

Bluffton led 16-9 after the first period as senior Mason Soper poured in a dozen points. But AE stayed within 23-16 at intermission after an even, low-scoring second stanza.

Yet the Pirates won the third stanza 20-11 to open up a 43-27 advantage. They outscored the Mustangs 39-25 after intermission to win going away by 21.  

Soper led the Pirates with 18 points. Junior guard Levi Hohenbrink nailed three second-half triples to tally a season-high 11 points. Senior Jared Piercefield added 10 markers.

Freshman guard Keaton Lehman was the lone Mustang in double figures with 11 points. He scored all nine AE points in the first quarter on three triples. 

AE senior Logan McCluer and sophomore Garrett Newland each added eight markers. 

Bluffton canned 25 field goals, including 19 two-point goals and six trifectas. The Pirates converted six of seven foul shots.

The Mustangs sank eight deuces and seven triples. AE converted four of five free throws (80 percent).

The Mustangs committed 18 turnovers while the Pirates made nine miscues.

Bluffton finished the season 11-1 at home.

Bluffton 62 (15-4, 5-2 NWC)
Deardorff 1 2-2 5, Schriner 1 0-0 2, Garmatter 1 1-3 3, Soper 8 0-0 18, Piercefield 5 0-0 10, Essinger 2 0-0 4, Schaadt 1 0-0 2, Ault 1 0-0 2, Hohenbrink 3 2-2 11, Kinn 2 1-2 5. 
Totals: 25/6-7/62. 3-pointers: Hohenbrink 3, Soper 2, Deardorff 1.

AE 41 (5-14, 0-7 NWC)
McCluer 3 0-0 8, Crumrine 1 0-0 3, Lehman 3 2-2 11, Hutchison 0, Newland 4 0-0 8, Z. Miller 2 0-0 4, Fletcher 1 0-0 3, Dotson 1 2-3 4, Koontz 0.
Totals: 15/4-5/41. 3-pointers: Lehman 3, McCluer 2, Fletcher 1, Crumrine 1.

    1    2    3    4    F
Bluf     16     7     20     19     62
AE    9    7    11    14    41
JV: Bluffton 58, AE 41.