By Sam Brauen www.blufftonpirates.com
(WAPAKONETA) – After winning eight straight games to start the season, Bluffton’s boys basketball team dropped their second straight contest Tuesday at Wapakoneta.  The losses came at the hands of two of the top teams of the Western Buckeye League in Ottawa-Glandorf and Wapak.  The two teams have a combined record of 16-3.  The host Redskins downed the visiting Pirates 61-54 Tuesday night in a game that had a tale of two halves.

Bluffton controlled the first half and led 26-23 at the break.  Jared Piercefield scored 10 first half points while Luke Denecker and Levi Hohenbrink each hit a pair of three pointers for the Pirates.  Bluffton was able to corral Redskin leading scorer Adam Scott, holding the senior to just six points.

Scott took over in the second half, scoring 16 points.  As a team, Wapak scored 38 second half points on the way to the win.  Bluffton didn’t go quietly.  After being held scoreless in the first half, Pirate junior Mason Soper poured in 17 second half points including 13 in the fourth quarter alone.  Soper also grabbed 9 rebounds and nailed two three pointers. 

Individual Pirate Stats
Mason Soper – 17 points, 2 threes, 9 rebounds
Luke Denecker – 14 points, 2 threes
Jared Piercefield – 13 points
Levi Hohenbrink – 8 points, 2 threes
Baylor Garmatter – 2 points

What’s Next
The Pirates host Lincolnview Friday in a pivotal Northwest Conference matchup. The Lancers are 5-5 overall and 1-1 in league play.