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[Rocketcorner News]

Lancers Beat Bluffton, 47-43

By: Evan Skilliter

VAN WERT, Ohio- The Lincolnview Lancers earned their second victory of the season Friday, beating the Bluffton Pirates, 47-43, in the first Northwest Conference game of the season for both teams. Bluffton, still searching for win number one of the season, welcomed back RJ Stratton from a hand injury acquired late during football season. The senior guard scored 10 points in his season debut, but Lincolnview senior Sloan Whitaker and sophomore Kyle Williams helped keep the Lancers out in front the whole length of the game.

Lincolnview used tremendous pressure to start the game, pressing the Pirates from opening tip-off with a three quarter court, 2-2-1 zone, forcing the young Pirates to give up 6 first quarter turnovers. Whitaker and Williams each scored 6 points in the opening frame, as the Lancers jumped out to a 16-6 first quarter lead.

The Pirates were able to adjust to the pressure in the second quarter by slightly slowing the pace and playing smarter basketball. Noah Stratton, RJ Stratton, and Michael Donley led a balanced Bluffton offensive effort, scoring 4 points each as the Pirates broke the Lincolnview press to score 14 second quarter points. Williams scored 4 of Lincolnview’s 10 points for the quarter, keeping the Lancers on the high end of a 26-20 score as the teams hit their respective locker rooms at half-time.

Williams led all scorers at half time with 10 points, shooting 1-3 from the field, 2-3 from three point range, and 2-3 from the free throw line. RJ Stratton led the Pirates with 8 first half points on a 4-5 effort from two point range.

The second half found both teams struggling to find offensive production. The Lancers continued to use a 2-2-1 full court press, forcing the Pirate offense to continue to keep the pace slow. On the other end, Bluffton applied heavy pressure on the Lancer perimeter game, limiting jump shots and preventing any three point attempts. Lincolnview managed to beat the pressure for 10 third quarter points to the Pirates 7, making the score 36-27 heading into the fourth and final quarter.

The Pirates came out of the gates hot, starting the frame with an 8-0 run, reducing the Lancer lead to only 1 point with 5:30 remaining in the game. Bluffton senior Matt Gillett led the charge, getting to the basket for two layups while drawing a foul and hitting both free throws. He was also able to make room for himself to shoot and make 2 three pointers on 2 attempts. However, the Lancers were able to keep the lead with clutch free throw shooting, hitting 5 of 5 shots from the line down the stretch, helping them keep the lead until the final buzzer.

Whitaker’s 15 points made him the game’s leading scorer. He shot 5-15 from the field, 0-2 from three point range, and a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line. Kyle Williams nearly matched that effort with 14 points. Those two Lancers were joined in the books by Clayton Longstreth (10 points), Nick Leath (4 points), Kade Corey, and Conner McCleery (2 points each). The Lancers as a team shot 15-30 from the field, 2-6 from the three point line, and 11-12 from the free throw line.

Matt Gillett led the Pirates with 14 points on 3-3 from the field, 2-4 from three, and 2-3 from the free throw line. Other Pirates scoring on the night were Michael Donley (11 points), R.J. Stratton (10 points), Noah Stratton (6 points), and Wes Barry (2 points). The Pirates shot 15-26 from the field, 2-8 from three point land, and 7-9 from the free throw line.

Turnovers were an issue for both teams as the Pirates gave the ball away 15 times and the Lancers gave it away 14 times. Rebound numbers were even as both teams grabbed 20 boards.

The Pirates will continue their season Tuesday as they welcome the Wapakoneta Redskins to Bluffton High school, JV starting at 6 pm. Lincolnview will take on Wayne-Trace tonight at home, with a JV start time of 6 o’clock.