By Cort Reynolds
The host Bluffton High School boys basketball team rode a three-point barrage to beat Riverdale 70-55 in a non-conference matchup on Saturday, February 4.
Sophomore guard Marek Donaldson drained seven of the 11 Pirate three-point goals, and he scored a game-high 23 points to pace the victory.
Bluffton outscored the Falcons 36-24 after intermission.
Donaldson sank three trifectas in the opening stanza to help the Pirates to a 20-13 advantage.
Bluffton led 34-27 at intermission. The hosts extended the lead to 46-36 after three quarters.
The Pirates then poured in 24 fourth quarter points to put the game out of reach.
Donaldson splashed four triples in the final stanza to lead the onslaught and score half the Pirate points in the fourth period.
Four Pirates reached double figures, with a fifth scoring nine.
Wade Ginther scored 14 points, 10 of which came in the second half, to support Donaldson.
Terron Boblitt netted 11 points, John-Paul scored 10 points and Carson Soper added nine markers.
Ethan Elwood and Jack Dusseau each tallied 16 points to lead Riverdale.
Bluffton improved its record to 10-7 overall with the decisive victory. Riverdale fell to 2-16 with the loss.
Bluffton connected on 25 field goals. The Pirates netted 14 baskets inside the arc and 11 three-point goals.
Bluffton converted nine of 13 attempts from the foul line (69 percent).
Riverdale canned 19 shots from the field. They sank 13 two-point goals and six treys.
The Falcons converted 11 of 14 shots from the charity stripe (79 percent).
The Pirates committed nine turnovers, and the Falcons made 14 miscues.
R'dale 55 (2-16)
Woodruff 0, Elwood 6 3-3 16, Young 5 2-2 13, Dusseau 5 2-2 16, Harbor 1 1-2 3, Inbody 1-3 3, Donaldson 1 0-0 2, Flowers 0 2-2 2.
Totals: 13-6/11-14/55. 3-pointers: Dusseau 4, Elwood 1, Young 1
Bluffton 70 (10-7)
Donaldson 7 2-2 23, L. Ginther 0 0-0 0, Soper 4 0-0 9, W. Ginther 5 1-3 14, Worcester 0 1-2 1, Boblitt 4 1-3 11, Wright 0 0-0 0, Yoder 4 2-2 10, Hilty 1 0-0 2.
Totals: 14-11/9-13/70. 3-pointers: Donaldson 7, Boblitt 2, Soper 1, W. Ginther 1.
1 2 3 4 F
Rdale 13 14 9 19 55
Bluf 20 14 12 24 70
Bluffton visits Elida (7-11) Tuesday, February 7. Elida lost 51-27 to Findlay Saturday night.
The Pirates (5-2 NWC) resume league play at local rival Allen East (11-5, 2-3 NWC) Friday, Feb. 10. They conclude a busy week at home vs. Kenton (7-12) Saturday, Feb. 11.
