By Cort Reynolds
BLUFFTON__The Bluffton High School boys basketball team blasted visiting Leipsic 79-43 in a Northwest Conference matchup on Friday, January 19, to earn their ninth consecutive win.
A 33-point Pirate outburst in the third period buried the Vikings. A 33-10 edge in the decisive stanza blew open a previously competitive 31-23 game at halftime.
Bluffton outscored Leipsic 48-20 after intermission to win going away.
The Pirates led 16-8 after the first quarter, and the hosts maintained that eight-point advantage at intermission.
Bluffton improved to 11-1 overall and 4-0 in the NWC to stay alone atop the league after the blowout win. The Vikings fell to 7-6 and 2-2 in the NWC with the lopsided loss.
Spencerville (9-3) is second in the NWC standings at 3-0, followed by Allen East (2-1).