By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON__A big fourth quarter lifted the Bluffton High School boys basketball team to a 61-47 victory over visiting local rival Pandora-Gilboa on Saturday, January 23.

The Pirates led just 42-40 heading into the final stanza, but authored a 19-7 fourth period to break open a close contest and win by 14.

Six different Pirates made a basket in the decisive fourth quarter, including three treys.

Bluffton led 13-12 after the first period, but went in front 28-26 at halftime after a 16-12 second stanza. Five Pirates sank at least one basket in the second period, including a pair of trifectas.

The teams battled to a 14-14 tie in the third quarter despite four triples by Bluffton. 

The Pirates improved to 5-9 overall after the non-conference home win.

P-G fell to 7-7 after the road defeat.

The Pirates were led by Brody Donley, who netted 15 points and three three-point goals. He scored 12 of his points after intermission, including eight in the third stanza. 

Donley scored 21 in Friday’s loss to Lincolnview to lead the team this weekend with 36 points.

Bean Ginther tallied 13 markers behind three treys, while Parker Lovell netted 11. Lovell drilled a three and a deuce in the final period.

Lane Ginther scored nine points, and Robby Taylor contributed eight with a pair of second-half triples. Owen Scoles chipped in with five markers.

Camden Verhoff led P-G with 14 points, while Chase Meyer netted 13.

The Pirates connected on 13 two-point goals and buried 11 triples. Bluffton converted two of three shots from the charity stripe (67 percent). 

P-G sank 14 deuces, buried four trifectas and canned seven of 10 foul shots (70 percent).

UP NEXT

The Pirates (0-4 NWC) host league rival Spencerville (10-6, 1-3 NWC) on Friday, Jan. 30. They then visit tough non-league rival Liberty-Benton (8-6) Saturday, Jan. 31.