By Cort Reynolds

TOLEDO__The visiting Bluffton High School boys basketball team utilized a huge second period to defeat non-conference foe Toledo Woodward 46-39 on Tuesday, February 3.

The game was tied 11-11 after the opening period. But a 17-1 Pirate second quarter blitzed the Polar Bears and gave Bluffton a 28-12 lead at halftime.

Woodward bounced back behind a 14-7 third period to edge within 35-26 heading into the fourth period.  

TW won the final quarter 13-11 but came up seven points short after being unable to overcome the huge second-period deficit.  

The Pirates improved to 7-10 overall after the road win, their second in a row.

Toledo City League member Woodward dropped to 5-12 with the home defeat.  

Bluffton freshman Brody Donley led all players with 13 points.

Bean Ginther contributed eight markers, while Owen Scoles netted seven. 

Lane Ginther tallied six points, while Robby Taylor scored five and Parker Lovell chipped in with four. Chase Kelly added a triple in the second stanza outburst.

Bluffton knocked down three trifectas in the decisive second period as five Pirates scored while the defense led TW without a basket.

Polar Bear senior post Michael Fizer led Woodward with 11 points. Bear senior Zion King added nine markers.

The Pirates connected on 12 two-point goals and splashed six triples. Bluffton converted four of seven shots from the charity stripe (57 percent).  

TW canned 15 deuces and drilled two trifectas. The hosts sank just three of eight foul shots (38 percent).

Bluffton (0-5 NWC) resumes Northwest Conference play at Columbus Grove (11-5, 2-2 NWC) Friday, Feb. 6. 

CG beat local Putnam County League rival Pandora-Gilboa 53-44 Tuesday night.