By Cort Reynolds
OTTOVILLE - The visiting Bluffton girls basketball team battled hard but lost 44-36 at undefeated Ottoville Saturday afternoon in non-league play.
The Lady Pirates dropped to 2-3 after the defeat, while Ottoville improved to 3-0 with the win.
Lady Pirate Laykin Garmatter led Bluffton with 20 points on the strength of four trifectas. Nicole Knippen of Ottoville matched her with 20 points and four treys as well.
Ottoville jumped out to a 13-4 lead after the first period as Knippen canned two triples and scored eight points.
By Cort Reynolds
DELPHOS - Following a close first half, the visiting Bluffton girls basketball team was held to just eight more points and lost 54-33 at Delphos Jefferson in the Northwest Conference girls basketball opener Thursday evening.
The Lady Pirates dropped to 2-2 (0-1 NWC) after the defeat, while DJ improved to 3-1 (1-0 NWC) with the win.
Lady Pirate Kylie Monday gave Bluffton a 12-11 first quarter lead on a stickback shot. But freshman Lauren French scored inside to give Jefferson the advantage back for good.
By Cort Reynolds
LEIPSIC - The visiting Bluffton boys basketball team rallied late but lost to Leipsic 74-69 in their regular season opener Friday night.
The Pirates trailed by 19 points heading to the fourth quarter, but pulled within 62-58 on the strength of a 17-2 start to the final stanza.
Bluffton inched closer to within 69-66, but Leipsic held on for the five-point non-league win with a 5-3 closing finish. The late-charging visitors outscored the Vikings 28-14 in the fourth period.
Lady Pirate cagers crush Musketeers
By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - The host Bluffton girls basketball ran out to a big early lead and whipped Ft. Jennings 69-24 in a non-league mismatch late Saturday morning.
The Lady Pirates improved to 2-1 after the lopsided win, while FJ fell to 0-4 with the defeat.
Bluffton led 20-8 after the first period and extended that margin to 34-12 at intermission. They then lengthened the lead to 37 points heading to the final stanza with a 17-2 third quarter.
By Cort Reynolds Click here to read consolation and title game stories
BLUFFTON - The host Bluffton girls basketball team tipped off its season with a 39-29 loss to Cory-Rawson in the semifinals of the annual McDonald's Holiday Tournament Friday night.
The cold-shooting Lady Pirates were held to just one second half basket, a three-pointer by Laykin Garmatter, in the loss.
By Cort Reynolds Click here to read the opening round game summaries
BLUFFTON - The host Bluffton girls basketball broke away from a close game at halftime to defeat Allen East handily 62-36 in the consolation round of the annual McDonald's Holiday Tournament Saturday evening.
The Lady Pirates improved to 1-1 with the win, while AE fell to 0-2 after the defeat.
