By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON - Host Bluffton methodically wore down Van Buren to register a 56-46 non-conference boys basketball victory Saturday evening.

The Pirates improved to 13-3 overall with the win, while VB fell to 7-7 with the loss.

Bluffton led 13-6 after the first period, and stayed on top 26-18 at halftime. The Pirates put the game out of reach with an 18-10 third quarter.

Senior standouts Luke Denecker and Mason Soper led the victors with 19 and 15 points, respectively.

Caden Lance and Nick McCracken led VB with a dozen points apiece.

The Pirates connected on 21 shots from the field. Bluffton knocked down 15 two-point goals and drilled six three-pointers. Bluffton converted eight of 14 shots from the charity stripe (57 percent). 

The Black Knights canned 12 two-pointers and hit five shots from three-point territory. VB converted seven of eight attempts from the charity stripe (88 percent).

VB committed 17 turnovers while Bluffton made nine miscues.

Bluffton 56 (13-3)
Deardorff 2 0-0 5, Schriner 0, Garmatter 2 1-1 5, Shutler 0, Soper 6 2-2 15, Piercefield 2 0-3 4, Denecker 6 4-6 19, Essinger 1 0-0 2, Ault 1 0-0 2, Hohenbrink 1 1-2 4. 
Totals: 21/8-14/56. 3-pointers: Denecker 3, Soper 1, Deardorff 1, Hohenbrink 1.

VB 46 (7-7)
Lance 4 1-2 12, Miller 1 0-0 3, McCracken 6 0-0 12, Warren 2 0-0 4, Schroeder 3 0-0 6, Kramer 1 6-6 9.
Totals: 17/7-8/46. 3-pointers: Lance 3, Miller 1, Kramer 1.

    1    2    3    4    F
Bluf     13     13     18     12     56
VB    6    12    10    18    46

Bluffton visits league-leading Columbus Grove (13-0, 4-0 NWC)Friday, January 31 in a showdown for the NWC lead. A CG victory would put them in the driver's seat for the conference crown.

Delphos Jefferson is also 4-0 in league play.