Lincolnview Lancers stun Bluffton 61-45

SCOTT TRUXELL/independent sports editor

Collin Overholt scored 16 points and dished out seven assists and Lincolnview snapped a three game losing streak with a resounding 61-45 upset win over Bluffton on Friday.

The victory improved Lincolnview’s record to 6-6 (2-1 NWC), while Bluffton dropped to 11-2 (3-1 NWC).

“I’m just proud of our guys and their effort,” Lincolnview head coach Brett Hammons said. “We did a great job on both ends of the floor.”

Aaron Cavinder opened the scoring with a three pointer, then knocked down another later in the first quarter to give Lincolnview an 8-4 lead. Back-to-back baskets by Jake Bowersock and another bucket by Cavinder put the Lancers ahead 14-6 and when the period ended, the Lancers had a 16-10 lead.

Bluffton briefly led 25-24 late in the second quarter but Overholt scored shortly before the buzzer to give Lincolnview a 26-25 halftime lead.

A basket and foul shot by Mason Soper put the Pirates ahead 30-28 early in the third quarter, but it was the final time Bluffton enjoyed a lead.

Clayton Leeth hit a bucket and free throw to give the Lancers a 31-30 advantage, then Jake Bowersock connected from the floor. Bluffton’s Luke Denecker tied the game 33-33, but Overholt and Landon Price answered with buckets. Leeth, who finished with eight points and a team high seven rebounds, ended the scoring with a trey that gave the Lancers a 40-35 lead going into the final quarter.

From there, Lincolnview was able to pull away by outscoring the visitors by a 21-10 margin. Bowersock scored seven of his 15 points in the fourth quarter and Creed Jessee accounted for six of his 10 points in the final stanza.

Lincolnview was 22 of 41 (54 percent) from the floor and 88 percent (14 of 16) from the foul line, while the Pirates were just 16 of 47 (34 percent) from the floor and 10 of 17 from the foul line. Bluffton finished with a 28-20 rebounding advantage.

Mason Soper led Bluffton with 14 points, while Jared Piercefield finished with 11 points. Denecker, who entered the game averaging 19 points was held to 10 points and six rebounds.

“We made some big shots when we needed to and we did a great job on Soper and Denecker,” Hammons said.

Lincolnview is scheduled to play at Antwerp tonight.

Scoring summary

Lancers 16 10 14 21 – 61
Pirates 10 15 10 10 – 45

Lincolnview: Landon Price 2-0-4; Clayton Leeth 2-3-8; Aaron Cavinder 3-0-8; Collin Overholt 6-4-16; Jake Bowersock 6-6-15; Creed Jessee 3-4-10

Bluffton: Baylor Garmatter 1-0-2; Mason Soper 5-3-14; Jared Piercefield 4-2-11; Luke Denecker 3-4-10; Nic Essinger 1-1-3; Levi Hohenbrink 2-0-5