The Bluffton High School boys basketball team nailed 10 triples to defeat visiting Leipsic 61-49 in a Northwest Conference battle Friday night, January 14.
Bluffton trailed 15-14 after the first period, but then took command with a 17-7 second stanza. Leipsic edged within 43-37 after three quarters. The Pirates pulled away with an 18-12 final period to win by 12.
Kyler Kinn and Trey Boblitt each tallied 18 points to pace victorious Bluffton.
Marek Donaldson added 11 markers on the strength of three trifectas as the third Pirate in double figures.
Trenton Donley added seven markers, and Nate Schaadt scored all five of his points in the decisive second period.
Boblitt netted all of his points on six triples.
Bluffton improved to 10-1 and held first place in the NWC at 4-0 with their ninth consecutive victory.
Leipsic fell to 7-4 and 2-2 in the NWC after the defeat.
Mason Brandt led the Vikings with 19 points.
Bluffton splashed 25 baskets, canning 15 two-pointers and the 10 treys. The Pirates converted just one of four at the charity stripe (25 percent).
The Vikings sank 19 baskets, draining 14 two-pointers and five triples, Leipsic canned six of nine at the foul line (67 percent).
Buffton committed 11 turnovers, compared to 15 errors by the Vikings.
Leipsic 49 (7-4, 2-2 NWC)
Brandt 7 3-4 19, Liffick 2 1-2 5, Schroeder 1 0-0 2, Siefker 4 0-0 10, Maag 4 0-1 8, Pena 1 2-2 5.
Totals: 14-5/6-9/49. 3-pointers: Brandt 2, Siefker 2, Pena 1.
Bluffton 61 (10-1, 4-0 NWC)
Donley 3 0-0 7, Shutler 0, Soper 1 0-0 2, Kinn 9 0-1 18, Boblitt 6 0-0 18, Schaadt 2 1-3 5, Ackerman 0, Donaldson 4 0-0 11.
Totals: 15-10/1-4/61. 3-pointers: Boblitt 6, Donaldson 3, Donley 1.
1 2 3 4 F
Leip 15 7 15 12 49
Blu 14 17 12 18 61
The Pirates visit non-league foe Carey (4-3) Saturday night, January 15.
Bluffton then visits Lincolnview (2-10, 0-3 NWC) in a league bout Friday, Jan. 21.
