The Bluffton High School boys basketball team remained first in the Northwest Conference by winning convincingly 63-43 at host Lincolnview in a league bout Friday night, January 21.

Kyler Kinn tallied 14 of his game-high 17 points in the first half to pace the Pirates to their 11th win in a row. He sank seven of 11 shots from the field.

Bluffton led 14-12 after one quarter, but seized a 32-19 halftime edge with a big 18-7 second quarter. The Pirates outscored the Lancers 31-24 in the second half to pull away methodically and post the win.

Bluffton has not lost since Dec. 4 at Liberty-Benton (12-3) by a 51-29 score.

The Pirates improved to 12-1 overall with the win, and stay atop the NWC at 5-0. 

The Lancers fell to 2-12 and 0-4 in the NWC after the defeat.

Trenton Donley contributed 14 points for the victors on six for 10 field goal accuracy. 

Trey Boblitt, Carson Soper and Marek Donaldson chipped in with eight points apiece.

Seniors Daegan Hatfield and Carson Fox topped the Lancers with nine points each.

Bluffton drained 24 of 46 field shots (52 percent), hitting 20 of 41 two-pointers while splashing four of 15 trey tries. The Pirates converted 11 of 17 at the charity stripe (65 percent).

The Lancers sank 17 baskets in 46 shots (37 percent), canning 14 of 30 two-pointers and just three of 16 triple attempts. Lincolnview converted six of 10 at the foul line (60 percent).

Bluffton out-rebounded the Lancers, 24-18. Both teams committed 11 turnovers.

Bluffton 63 (12-1, 5-0 NWC)

Donley 6-10 14, Kinn 7-11 17, Soper 3-6 8, Boblitt 2-6 8, Donaldson 3-6 8, Lora 1-1 2, Schaadt 2-4 4, Lora 1-1 2, Ginther 2. Totals: 24-46/11-17/63. 3-pointers (4-15).

L'view 43 (2-12, 0-4 NWC)

Hatfield 9, Fox 9, Richardson 7, Price 4, Binkley 3, Crow 3, Evans 2, Cox 2, Bockrath 2, Friedrich 2.

Totals: 17-46/6-10/43. 3-pointers (3-16).

1 2 3 4 F

Lvw 12 7 12 12 43

Blu 14 18 14 17 63

First-place Bluffton (5-0 NWC) hosts league foe Spencerville (13-1, 3-1 NWC) Friday, Jan. 28 in a showdown of red-hot teams on long win streaks. 

The Bearcats have won 10 in a row after knocking off defending NWC champion Columbus Grove 61-37 Friday. Their lone loss was 46-44 at Crestview Dec. 21.

The Pirates then entertain tough non-league rival Pandora-Gilboa (11-3) Saturday night, Jan. 29.