Playing at home, the Bluffton boys basketball team jumped out to a big early lead and cruised to a 67-35 win over Paulding to open the season Saturday night, November 27.

Bluffton led 20-8 after the first period and 30-17 at halftime. The Pirates outscored the Panthers 37-18 after intermission.

A balanced Bluffton placed five players in double figures. Four Pirates shared team scoring honors with 13 points apiece. Trenton Donley, Kyler Kinn, Trey Boblitt and Nate Schaadt each netted 13, while Carson Soper added 10 markers.

Bluffton improved to 1-0 with the win, while Paulding fell to 1-1.

The Pirates connected on 27 field goals, hitting 20 two-pointers and seven trifectas. Bluffton converted all six of its free throws (100 percent).  

Paulding sank three shots from three-point territory, and hit on 10 baskets inside the arc for 13 total field goals. The Panthers canned six of eight attempts from the charity stripe (75 percent).

Bluffton committed eight turnovers, while Paulding was guilty of 14 miscues.

Paulding 35 (1-1)

Zartman 1 0-0 2, Bauer 3 2-2 8, Agler 1 0-0 3, Manz 4 1-2 10, P. Adams 1 0-0 2, Gorell 1 0-0 3, Foltz 2 3-4 7.

Totals: 10-3/6-8/35. 3-pointers: Agler 1, Manz 1, Gorell 1.

Bluffton 67 (1-0)

Donley 5 0-0 13, Soper 5 0-0 10, Kinn 6 1-1 13, Boblitt 5 0-0 13, Schaadt 5 3-3 13, Donaldson 1 0-0 3, Ginther 0 2-2 2. 

Totals: 20-7/6-6/67. 3-pointers: Donley 3, Boblitt 3, Donaldson 1. 

1 2 3 4 F

Pau 8 9 10 8 35

Blf 20 10 22 15 67

The Pirates host perennial power Ottawa-Glandorf Friday, December 3.