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.

Wildcat Kaylee Buzard then canned a triple at the first quarter buzzer to extend Jeffersonís lead to 17-12.

The hosts stretched their lead to seven in the second stanza, but the Lady Pirates stayed close as Monday and Sami Scoles each drained treys.

Another Scoles triple kept Bluffton within four points at halftime, 29-25. 

But French tallied the first four points after the break and DJ went on to outscore the Pirates 13-2 in the third period to seize control of the contest. When the dust cleared the Wildcats were comfortably ahead 42-27 heading to the final stanza.

Paced by stingy defense, the Wildcat girls extended their second half run to 25-5 before a three-point basket by Bluffton in the final minute.

The hosts out-pointed Bluffton 12-6 in the fourth period to win going away. In the second half, they held the Pirates to just eight points while scoring 25 themselves. 

Buzard led the victors with 16 points, while French contributed 15 markers. Alycia Lindeman added nine points. Alyvia Lindeman and Josie McGue each added seven.

Scoles topped Bluffton with a dozen points, while Monday netted nine and Riley Eachus added six.

DJ 54 (3-1, 1-0 NWC)
Buzard 16, French 15, Lindeman 9, Lindeman 7, McGue 7.

Bluffton 33 (2-2, 0-1 NWC)
Bischoff 0, L. Garmatter 1, Stackhouse 2, Busch 3, Eachus 6, Scoles 12, Monday 9. 

    1    2    3    4    F    
DJ    17    12    13    12    54     
Bluf    12     13     2     6     33    
JV: DJ 41, Bluffton 12.

The Pirates (0-1 road) travel to face traditional power Ottoville for a non-league, early afternoon battle Saturday, Dec. 5.

Bluffton then resumes NWC play by hosting local league rival Ada (0-2, 0-1 NWC) Thursday, December 10. Ada lost to defending league champion Columbus Grove 54-15 in their NWC opener.