By Cort Reynolds

BLUFFTON – The Bluffton High School boys basketball team pulled ahead with a key third quarter and went on to defeat spunky non-conference foe Elida 55-45 on Senior Night, Tuesday, February 10.

Senior Robby Taylor scored a season-high 16 points to lead four Pirates in double figures. Fellow senior Bean Ginther tallied 13 markers.

The Pirates held a 15-13 edge after the opening period. Bluffton led 27-24 at halftime on the strength of five trifectas.

The Pirates authored a 12-5 third period to earn a little breathing room as Lane Ginther scored seven big points. Bluffton forged ahead 39-29 going into the fourth quarter.  

Both teams poured in 16 points in the final stanza. Pirate freshman guard Brody Donley scored all 11 of his points in the fourth quarter behind three triples.

Taylor buried four triples in the first half, then sank all four of his free throws in the final period to help keep Elida at bay.

The Pirates improved to 8-12 overall after the home win.

Struggling Elida fell to 3-16 after suffering the road defeat. The Bulldogs have dropped nine of their last 11 contests after losing their first seven games of the season. 

Lane Ginther contributed a dozen points, and Donley chipped in with 11 markers. Parker Lovell added three points. 

Seniors Taylor and Bean Ginther were recognized before the game.  

Senior Jonathan Payne led Elida with 16 points. Jayden Snyder tallied nine of his 11 markers in the fourth period. Payne also netted seven in the final stanza.

The Pirates connected on eight two-point goals and splashed nine big triples. Bluffton converted 12 of its 18 shots from the charity stripe (67 percent).  

Elida canned 13 deuces and drilled five trifectas. The Bulldogs sank four of six foul shots (67 percent).

UP NEXT
The Pirates (0-6 NWC) host tough backyard Northwest Conference rival Allen East (13-7, 3-2 NWC) on Friday, Feb. 13 in the Bluffton league finale. Lincolnview is first in the NWC at 5-1.