By Cort Reynolds

The Bluffton High School boys basketball team stymied Bath 43-32 in a low-scoring Div. III sectional final at Miller City Friday night.

The Pirates led 12-10 after the first quarter, but then fell behind 18-17 at halftime. They limited Bath to just 22 points over the final 24 minutes. 

Bluffton splashed three triples in the third stanza as they doubled their first half output and forged in front 34-30 heading to the final quarter.

In the fourth period, the stingy Pirate defense held Bath to just two points on one basket as they pulled away for an 11-point win.

With the victory Bluffton improved to 21-2, while Bath ended up 7-17 after the defeat.

Boblitt led the Pirates with 12 points on four triples. Carson Soper netted eight markers, while Kyler Kinn and Trenton Donley each added six.

Bluffton sank 15 field goals, making nine two-pointers while drilling six treys. The Pirates converted seven of 14 attempts at the charity stripe (50 percent).

The Wildcats canned 13 baskets. They sank just eight two-pointers and drained five triples. They converted a mere one of three from the foul line (33 percent).

Bluffton committed 10 turnovers, while Bath made 17 miscues.

Bluffton 43 (21-2)

Donley 2 2-4 6, Kinn 2 2-5 6, Soper 3 0-1 8, Boblitt 4 0-0 12, Donaldson 1 2-2 4, Schaadt 1 1-2 3, Lora 2 0-0 4. 

Totals: 9-6/7-14/43. 3-pointers: Boblitt 4, Soper 2.

Bath 32 (7-17)

Mikesell 3 0-0 6, D. Craddock 1 1-2 4, Hall 2 0-1 5, C. Craddock 1 0-0 2, Wauben 2 0-0 5, Stahr 3 0-0 8, Armetrant 1 0-0 2.

Totals: 8-5/1-3/32. 3-pointers: Stahr 2, Wauben 1, D. Craddock 1, Hall 1.

1 2 3 4 F

Blu 12 5 17 9 43

Bath 10 8 12 2 32

Northwest Conference champion Bluffton faces Green Meadows Conference champion Wayne Trace (21-2, 7-0 GMC) in the district semifinals Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Lima Senior.

The district finals are Saturday, March 5 at 2 p.m.