Lady Lancers down Bluffton girls

Van Wert independent sports

The Lincolnview Lady Lancers were victorious over Bluffton, 51-38, in a Northwest Conference girls’ basketball game played Thursday at Lincolnview.

The Lady Lancers had three players in double figures, led by Julia Thatcher’s 23-point offensive performance. Hannah McCleery scored 13 points for Lincolnview, while Ashton Bowersock added 11 points for the Lancers.

Andie Schmutz led the Lady Pirates with 17 points and was the only Bluffton player in double figures.

The Lady Lancers led 14-8 after one period of play and were up by 10, 27-17, at the half. Bluffton cut four points off the lead in the third quarter and trailed by six points, 34-28, at the three-quarter mark, but Lincolnview outscored the Lady Pirates 17-10 in the final stanza to preserve the win.

The Lancers were 17 of 40 from the field (42.5 percent), but hit just 1 of 6 three-point attempts (16.7 percent). Lincolnview was 16 of 20 from the free-throw line (80 percent).

Bluffton made 15 of 42 from the field (35.7 percent), including 2 of 14 from behind the arc (14.3 percent). The Lady Pirates made 6 of 13 free throw attempts (46.2 percent).

The Lancers also led in rebounding, 27-23, while having two fewer turnovers (12-14) than Bluffton.