By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON–The Bluffton High School girls basketball team got off to a big early lead and rolled to a 46-35 victory over visiting Delphos Jefferson in their Northwest Conference opener on Thursday, December 11. 

The Pirate girls raced to a 13-2 lead after the first period, and essentially maintained that 11-point margin to the end.

Bluffton scored 13 points in each of the first three quarters to build a commanding 39-20 advantage heading to the final stanza.

The Pirates extended their advantage to 26-11 at halftime. Bluffton led by 19 after the third quarter, and DJ won the final period 15-7 to slice the final margin to 11.

The Pirates improved to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in NWC play after the decisive win.

Jefferson fell to 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the NWC with the double-digit defeat. The Wildcats lost to Spencerville 48-46 in their league lidlifter Dec. 4.

Pirate Gracie Warren tallied 15 points to lead all scorers. She poured in eight third-period markers.

Macy Schaadt drained two triples and a two-pointer in the first period to shoot the Pirates to a big early lead. She finished with 11 points.

Avery Hobensack splashed two triples in the second stanza to help build the Pirate lead to 15 points by intermission.  

Junior guard Maelee Miller contributed five points, while senior Blair Utendorf netted four. Junior Greta Meyers added three points. 

Taylin Goldman added one two-point basket.

Claire Brinkman led DJ with nine points. Claire Stokes and Kyah Kimmett added eight markers apiece. Stokes canned two triples and Brinkman nailed one trifecta.

Bluffton connected on 11 two-point goals and drilled five triples. The Pirate girls converted nine of 18 free throw tries (50 percent).

The Wildcat girls sank 12 two-pointers and splashed three trifectas. DJ canned just two of nine foul shots (22 percent).

The Pirates play at MAC foe New Bremen (1-4) on Saturday Dec. 13. They then visit non-league foe Van Buren (3-3) on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

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