Cold 2nd half dooms Lady Pirates in league lidlifter
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.
Stories Posted This Week
Wednesday, April 2, 2025
- Tornado Watch issued for Allen, Hancock, Hardin and Putnam counties at 9:15 p.m. on April 2
- Flood Warning issued for Allen County at 11:03 a.m.
- Pirate tennis loss at Elida
- Pirate softball loses opener to Ada
- Pirate baseball falls to Ada
- Allen County will not test warning sirens on April 2
- March 2025 land transfers in the Bluffton Exempted Village School District
- April 22 crash report shows driver hit N. Dixie home
- Bluffton High School Honor Roll announced for 3rd quarter of 2024-2025
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
- Obituary for Betty C. Mumaugh
- Leo Club supports Bluffton Clean Up
- Wind, rain and potential flooding for April 2
- Grandey to major in education, play basketball at John Carroll
- Pirate tennis blanks Bath
- Pirate baseball sweeps opening twin bill vs. Pandora-Gilboa
- “I Have Not Forsaken the Word of God” reader's theater, April 13
- Easter Cantata performed on April 13 in Pandora
Monday, March 31, 2025
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Saturday, March 29, 2025
- Bluffton Public Library’s April 2025 programs and services
- Joseph “Joe” Ropp Davies worked for University of Findlay
- Hillville Road bridge maintenance on April 1
- Lift access added to Bluffton Senior Center back entrance
- Register for fear of falling workshop
- Florence to explain advanced sports stats at student forum